UPDATE: Royal Mail has corrected its earlier statement, saying there had been some “confusion.” A spokesperson said: “There was some confusion earlier, in fact there have been 3 confirmed cases that have tested positive for coronavirus at Margate Delivery Office, and 18 staff are self-isolating.”
Intensive cleans have taken place after staff at Royal Mail’s Margate delivery office tested positive for covid, says Royal Mail.
A source warned of postal disruption in Margate, Westgate and Birchington as a result of staff being absent including management. Some staff have returned today (January 4) after a period of self isolation.
A Royal Mail Spokesperson said: “Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously.
“There are currently colleagues that have tested positive for coronavirus at Margate Delivery Office. We wish them a speedy recovery.
“We have carried out an intensive clean of the site and have organised additional cleaning of key touch points and all communal areas. We are keeping the Communication Workers Union, Public Health England and colleagues updated. We are working hard to deliver a normal service as best we can and have drawn in extra resource.
“Throughout this crisis, every decision we make puts the health of our people and customers first. We have put in place a range of preventive measures to protect both our customers and our colleagues.
“We were the first UK company to put in place social-distancing measures in relation to parcel delivery. We pioneered contact-free delivery. We are temporarily not handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures.
“As well as encouraging good hand hygiene, standard ways of working have been revised to ensure that colleagues maintain appropriate social distancing at all times.
“All staff have been briefed about the social distancing measures jointly agreed by local management and the CWU. This has been supplemented with visible reminders such as posters and one-way floor markings.”
Had to be 19…. how awful.
“A source warned of postal disruption in Margate, Westgate and Birchington as a result of staff being absent”
Nothing unusual then.
“All staff have been briefed about the social distancing measures”
Just in case they didn’t know what social distancing was, after nine months.
Royal Mail, the most ridiculous company in existence, fighting for survival, against too many better, and less expensive companies.
I hope you have read the update 🤔
Gary, yes I have now seen the update, but this makes no difference.
I hope the people who have been unfortunate with the virus, all recover properly.
It also makes no difference that Royal Mail is doomed, a company struggling to survive, with so much competition, the answer from Royal Mail is to constantly keep increasing prices.
Ah, poor little Stunt got a grudge he can’t shift.
You’re talking rubbish.
KG
No, simply talking common sense, a failing business that will not be able to continue for much longer, as we currently know it.
Our postman has been so good here in Birchington hope they all get well soon
I’ve always had excellent postal service with very polite and friendly postmen/women. I would like to thank them for all they do and wish everyone who is sick a full and speedy recovery. And for all the others to stay safe and well.
Hear hear! My regular posties are always great and I’m really happy with the service Royal Mail gives here. Everything that Jan said above.
I wondered why my Westgate postman didn’t turn up today! A great guy by the way, sure hope he’s not poorly.
Wishing the royal mail staff quick recovery. Many thanks especially to the delivery staff.
Were heading into another lockdown and need you lot !
Yes!! Looks like the January sales will all be on line GREAT!! 👎
Real Mail is great. Hermes left a parcel under a front garden bush yesterday with no permission or warning. No wonder parcels are stolen. Royal Mail do not do that. I saw 2 parcel delivery vans, unmarked, sorting parcels out in Sainsburys car park yesterday as well. Parcels all over the place. Royal Mail don’t do that either. Let us be thankful for a decent service.
Same here, a UPS driver dumped a repaired computer on my front door step, and legged it a little while ago! Its emails that has put the Royal Mail out of business, but I wish they would stop putting up the price of First and 2nd class stamps, have they not heard of the law of diminishing returns?