Will Royal Mail be providing face masks? / Who should be using facemasks?

[POSTMAN]

Will Royal Mail be providing face masks?

Where we have identified specific roles for whom observing the 2m physical distancing is at times difficult, masks are being provided. However, in those cases the 2m physical distancing must be observed when possible and hand hygiene rules, including not touching the mouth, nose and eyes or before eating must continue to be observed.

Where masks have been identified as not required, they remain available for those employees who wish to use them from their manager. Full face mask and face covering guidance is available here. (Intranet link)

Face coverings are mandatory across the UK in shops and on public transport, This includes when going into Post Offices. Managers should ensure their teams are aware of the mandatory guidance when delivering or collecting mail.

What’s the impact of the face covering legislation?

It is mandatory to wear a face covering when entering shops throughout the UK. This includes when going into Post Offices.

Managers should ensure their teams are aware of the mandatory guidance when delivering or collecting mail. Face coverings are also required across the UK when using public transport.

Who should be using facemasks?
We have published a response to the use of face masks.

Public Health England does not currently advise the use of face masks in public places as there is very little evidence of widespread benefit.

In Royal Mail, face masks are provided where we have identified specific roles or tasks where observing the two-metre physical distancing may be difficult. For full face mask guidance please click here. (Intranet link)

Customer Service Points (CSPs) are classified as shops for the purposes of this guidance and therefore all customers using these facilities will need to wear a face mask/covering. Posters to display this requirement are available on the SHE Coronavirus Document Library -Posters
It is not mandatory for employees who work in CSPs to wear a face covering, however face masks remain available through line managers for anyone who chooses to wear one. You can ensure you always have good stock of face masks and other protective equipment available by keeping your Additional Supplies Register (ASR) app up to date.
The law provides discretion to people who have a health condition, a disability and other groups. These will not always be visible, so staff should continue to serve all who enter CSPs, including those not wearing face coverings.

Temporary use of face masks_16042020.docx

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[postslippete]

Public Health England has a very different policy to other countries like Germany where facemarks are compulsory. They are allowed in German restaurants with facemarks but I do wonder how they eat their sauerkraut and bratwurst with them on.

[redneck]

Glad that facemasks are to continue being available for those who want to use them. It is about not spreading micro droplets to other people from your nose and mouth, rather than protecting yourself. The company should be insisting that all wear them in the office as social distancing is non existent and staff rotas have hardly changed. It is also compulsory in countries that have dealt with the virus a lot lot better than us.