Royal Mail : Face coverings mandatory with immediate effect

[POSTMAN]

Face coverings mandatory with immediate effect

This communication follows on and is linked to the earlier Joint Statement and Joint Communication – the terms of which remain in place including the three-step compliance process.

Following the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in the UK, the Government has confirmed new temporary and precautionary coronavirus measures which will be introduced from tomorrow.

New restrictions include:

· Face coverings become compulsory in shops and on public transport in England. All hospitality settings will be exempt.
· Across the UK, all contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.
· All international arrivals must take a Day two PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
As a result of the above changes, considering the current high infection rate and number of temporary workers in our operation at peak, we have agreed the following in consultation with both the CWU and Unite/CMA with immediate effect:
· Face coverings become mandatory in all indoor Royal Mail Group settings (including offices, customer service points, shared vans and workplace restaurants e.g. only remove face coverings when seated and eating/drinking). Face coverings have been mandatory across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales for some time.
· If you are identified as a close contact of the suspected Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of your vaccination status.
· We promote the use of Microsoft Teams for meetings as a way of working that alleviates congestion in offices.
We will review the current temporary arrangements in line with the latest update from the UK Government in three weeks’ time.
Prevention is key

Please take the opportunity to check the standards in your unit:

1. Washing hands – regularly, for 40-60 seconds each time (Handwashing Poster) (Handwashing Poster v2)
2. Face coverings – mandatory unless exempt and should be well fitted. Scientific and medical evidence shows that face coverings help stop the virus spreading, and this is a sensible precautionary measure at this time. (Face Covering Poster)
3. Cleaning vehicles – at the start and end of duties (Wipe Clean Poster)
4. Ventilation - increased ventilation reduces the concentration of the virus in the air and reduces the risk from airborne transmission. It is important to get as much fresh air into buildings as possible. For further guidance on ventilation, visit the P&FS Guidance on the SharePoint pages. Pay particular attention to internal rooms e.g. tv or games rooms that do not have any sources of natural ventilation
5. Shared vans – ensure that windows are lowered to allow the cab to be ventilated and face masks are to be worn.

Ordering preventative equipment

Face coverings and disposable gloves can be ordered via Dimensions online portal (go to the “pool stock” screen). Non-operational managers without access to the uniform portal will need a non-ops manager account - please supply your email address and full postal address to the assets team who will set you up with an account. Support is available through Uniform Support: Uniform@royalmail.com.
Hand sanitiser and wipes remain available to order via the Additional Supplies Register (ASR) app. Update by starting a new audit and the revised stock items list will be used. ASR support is available through ASR_Support@royalmail.com.
Ventilation
We have updated the PFS2_255 Ventilation and Air Conditioning – COVID-19 Guidance document with further detail on what constitutes ‘well ventilated’ and ‘poorly ventilated’ spaces or areas. For further information, visit the P&FS Guidance on the SharePoint pages. It is crucial that you ensure your Ventilation risk assessment is completed.
Self-isolation and testing
It is important that colleagues self-isolate when advised to do so, appropriate to the rules for your country. A useful flow chart is available here. Anyone who thinks they have symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate, book a PCR test and not come to work until they have either received a negative test or completed self-isolation.
· For a Lateral Flow test kit - click here.
· To book a PCR test - click here.

Workplace clusters

Where units experience a cluster of cases, managers can utilise the materials in the confirmed case managers’ pack, engaging and working with CWU to reduce the risk of further transmission through the workforce. To access the latest confirmed case manager pack click here. In addition attached is the process for monitoring local infection rates, outlining the importance of engaging with local IR and or Safety reps to consider the re-introduction of other measures to avoid the spread in the workplace.
To ensure our workplaces remain ‘Covid-Secure’ environments, please check that you have reviewed and updated your office risk assessment to version 8.0. There is now one risk assessment which applies to all sites which is available here.
Please summarise these changes to your teams. Click here to access the WTLL

Further support

For further help and support managers can either call 0345 604 2787 or contact coronavirus.support@royalmail.com.
First Class Support is free and confidential for employees including direct access to counselling services. Call 0345 266 5060, visit www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk or download the ‘Lifeworks’ app. New users of the website/app can ‘sign up’ using a unique invitation code, which is RMG- and then your payroll number, e.g. RMG-12345678.
On the Health and Wellbeing Intranet pages, our Feeling First Class – Mental Health page includes stress guidance, support and training as well as signposting to internal and external mental health support services.
Thank you.
Dr Shaun Davis
Global Director Compliance & Sustainability

[Schiff]

Van windows down in the middle of winter as the only way that van sharing remains safe?

Just stop van sharing immediately ffs.

[postslippete]

Van windows down in the middle of winter as the only way that van sharing remains safe?

Just stop van sharing immediately ffs.

Exactly. The CWU should be all over this. They were when Rico was in charge.

[Jpro747]

So at what point are we going to say we are free to live our lives without any more restrictions?

Get the vaccine if you’re worried.
It’s time to stop living in fear, life is full of risks and everyone dies eventually.
The government are high on power and money, they don’t want to let covid go.
If you comply, it will never end, and they will keep announcing new variants to push more fear and restrctions.

[Villadaft]

What a selfish person you are, a little bit of cloth on your face and you think its hard

[TrueBlueTerrier]

So at what point are we going to say we are free to live our lives without any more restrictions?

Get the vaccine if you’re worried.
It’s time to stop living in fear, life is full of risks and everyone dies eventually.
The government are high on power and money, they don’t want to let covid go.
If you comply, it will never end, and they will keep announcing new variants to push more fear and restrictions.

2 prominent anti maskers and Covid Deniers have died of ....... Covid in October/November that I know for certain. (Mak Parhar (48) - who denied having Covid but showed classic symptoms in his last2 youtube videos, and Rob Skiba. May they both rest in peace.

But we live in a free society if you put their opinions and scientific knowledge above other scientists and government I can only hope you stay safe,

Though I am surprised that someone who declares at least some form of anti-government views, joined RM when we were solely run by them. There is nothing wrong in holding those opinions it's just something I don't fully understand.

[scoobydo79]

How hard is it ? Wear a mask .It won’t kill You but not wearing it might.

[postslippete]

The government are high on power and money, they don’t want to let covid go.
If you comply, it will never end, and they will keep announcing new variants to push more fear and restrctions.

Do you really think that the government want to lock everything down and collapse the economy?? Boris was slow on the first lockdown and most reluctant to lockdown a 2nd time after locking down the regional didn't not work.

The govt's hand is forced by the World Health Organisation and the advice of the scientists and no responsible government in this country is NOT going to take NO action based on their advices, no matter what they might think about it personally. They haven't closed the pubs and restaurants and they are still allowing travel. They want the economy to continue but they are asking for common sense from the public.

Why people still believe that its all a hoax and a government conspiracy when all the government is trying to do is save lives is totally beyond me.

[thedonkey]

Face coverings mandatory.
In our place it's a joke. What are the consequences of not wearing one when it is mandatory? Answer. none.
DOM not enforcing it and if there is no guidelines as to how to deal with those who are too lazy or have no regard for their colleagues to wear one. What can he do?
Tuesday I count over 50 per cent in our DO not wearing a mask or with it under their chin. Is it classed as a H&S issue? If so does the DOM have the option to take up disciplinary action?

[nelly21]

I think you should have a person from the management and union to make unannounced visits in thier area to mail centres and delivery offices to make sure everyone without good reason not to wear one be taken down the conduct code and also ask as to why the managers are not enforcing this serious breach of health and safety

[vinny79]

What’s a good reason?
What isn’t?

Where is the risk assessment from the business on mask wearing?

[nelly21]

Some people are exempt and have medical reasons like c.o.p.d, asthma or other breathing issues, I'm not making excuses up for anyone I would like everyone to wear them

[Sir Henry]

Why people still believe that its all a hoax and a government conspiracy when all the government is trying to do is save lives is totally beyond me

[ssdd]

Rather ambiguous Sir. That could read either way.

[nelly21]

Yes I know , I just don't think royal mail is doing enough. They go on about staff shortages due to covid but don't enforce the wearing of face masks to help keep people at work. The amount of people were I work not wearing them must be over 70%