****Coronavirus Easing of Restrictions Guidance - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers**** V19 3 May

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https://www.myroyalmail.com/Coronavirus

The latest up-to-date information and advice on easing of restrictions guidance can be found within our Q &A document here...

Coronavirus Guidance Questions v19.pdf

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7 Sept 2021, CWU's Joyce decides to update the membership with this new document.

The Coronavirus Guidance, Version 8 Q&A document POSTMAN EDIT : (updated 20/08/21 10.45) has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Regions, Health and Safety Reps, Branch Reps, Divisional IR Reps and members.

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V9 up.

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Regarding sick pay and absences, the document in the title does not mention as previous documents have that all Corona sick related instances will normally be discounted in the normal attendance procedure.

Any Ideas?

EDIT: It does state at the top of page 7, I made a mistake, not to worry it's good to keep on the ball.

Yes, we will continue to support all colleagues, including CEV colleagues in relation to any Covid-19
related absence. We continue to expect most coronavirus related absences to be discounted from
the normal attendance procedure. However, where coronavirus absences are for an excessive
duration or repeat in nature, this may need to be reviewed.

There’s not been any official change in the policy position regarding this at present.

CV19 related absence would normally be discounted, unless there were specific reasons as to why it was felt that it was appropriate not to.

Kind Regards,

James. Coronavirus Support Team

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V10 up.

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V10.1 up

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V11 up.

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V12 UP.

Do I still need to self-isolate?

Self-isolation rules are slightly different across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – a
flowchart by nation is available here (https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... _v.3.1.pdf) and click here (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir ... ronavirus/) for information on accessing a test.

Managers should continue to take a supportive approach when dealing with colleague concerns, for
example clinically extremely vulnerable colleagues or those that for various reasons (including
personal choice or for medical reasons) are unvaccinated. Some colleagues will share their
vaccination status, others will choose not to; at present this is an individual’s choice.

Where a colleague needs to self-isolate as an identified close contact of a confirmed case - for
example, if they are not fully vaccinated or have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and
Trace service - the manager can request evidence from the colleague (e.g. a screen shot of a text,
email, the NHS App or letter).

Managers should direct any questions or concerns about this change
to the People Case Advice Team (0345 604 2787 or coronavirus.support@royalmail.com).

Royal Mail will support the period of self-isolation through our normal sick pay policy; this approach remains
under review.

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V13 UP.

What is the current position on van sharing?

In line with the easing of restrictions across the UK in Summer 2021 and in conversation with our
union partners, we agreed an approach to return to more normal working methods which
included a return to van sharing.

Can drivers still use their private cars to reach a delivery point?

No. The procedure for allowing private cars to be used as a temporary measure has been removed
from Monday 11
th October 2021. Where drivers are unable to share due to personal conditions
such as anxiety or stress, managers must work through those concerns on an individual basis using
the Stress Risk Assessment

Do I have to wear a face covering?

Following the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in the UK, from 30th November 2021 it is
mandatory to wear a face covering in all indoor Royal Mail Group settings (including offices,
customer service points, shared vans and workplace restaurants e.g. only remove face coverings
when eating/drinking). Face coverings have been mandatory across Scotland, Northern Ireland and
Wales for some time.

Where do we stand if people are not comfortable working with those who are exempt from
wearing a face covering?

Colleagues should speak to their manager and work through those concerns to identify the best way
forward and managers will take advice from the People Case Advise Team (0345 604 2787) to gain
advice where needed. There may be circumstances where an occupational health referral or letter
from a colleague’s General Practitioner may support us in making the right temporary arrangements
for the colleague.

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V14 up.

What do we do if a customer refuses to wear a face covering in a Customer Service Point?

It is now law in England to wear face coverings again in shops and other specified public places unless you are exempt. For the purposes of this legislation our Customer Service Points (CSP) fall under this requirement Exemptions will not always be visible, so staff should continue to serve all who enter CSPs, including those not wearing face coverings.

This also applies to employees who may be exempt from wearing a face covering/mask. Ensure that a poster is displayed in your CSP displaying this requirement. You may choose to politely remind customers that face coverings are mandatory in the CSP and point them to the poster, however we do not expect employees to police the wearing of face coverings if customers refuse to comply.

What can managers do if an employee is not wearing a face covering?

As previously communicated, face coverings are now required in all indoor Royal Mail premises except for a valid exemption reason. For any employees who are not wearing a face covering indoors, please refer to the guidance below that was agreed with CWU and Unite CMA and issued in a joint communication on January 26, 2021.

Medical/other exemptions - Royal Mail Group fully accepts some employees will be exempt from wearing a face covering and some conditions will not be visible. However, we need to ensure we are managing risk appropriately given the country faces a new virus strain and significantly higher transmission and infection rates.

To support our duty of care and help us consistently manage the mandatory wearing of face coverings, managers can request to see evidence of an exemption. However, managers are not required to verify the entire document, specifically they do not need to read the section describing personal details of what the medical (or other) reason for the exemption is.

Managers can keep a record of employees that have met exemption criteria but should not record the specific reason, even if the employee has shared it. Once confirmed, we will support those employees with genuine exemptions who will then not be routinely asked to provide written evidence.

Managers should have conversations with their teams and work with our union colleagues to encourage appropriate wearing of face coverings indoors. If a manager requires further support on how to manage a situation, they can contact our People Case Advice Team.

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V15 up

Can managers request evidence of a positive LFD or PCR test?

The manager can request evidence from the colleague (e.g. a screen shot of a text or email).
Managers should direct any questions or concerns to the People Case Advice Team (0345 604 2787
or coronavirus.support@royalmail.com).

If an employee is confirmed positive with an LFD or PCR test, they have self-isolated for 10
days and then take an LFD test on day 10 which is positive, can they still return to work?

A small percentage of people may still test positive on or after 10 days of self-isolation. You can stop
self-isolating after 10 days if you do not have a high temperature and are well enough to return to
work.
Once you leave self-isolation you should remain cautious and follow the preventative measures in
place inside/outside work. Anyone who has symptoms, however mild should self-isolate and
request a PCR test.

What is the PFS cleaning schedule and are we still operating deep cleans for where we have
had confirmed cases?

Yes, we continue with the existing protocols. All tests for Coronavirus are treated the same. A
confirmed case of Coronavirus can be via a lateral flow or PCR test. In the event of this happening
contact the PFS helpdesk to arrange for a van or office clean.

Vehicle Cleaning

Where a confirmed case of Coronavirus has been identified, Regional Public health bodies will
provide advice on that affected employees case and the need for cleaning of specific areas within
their workplace including equipment and any vehicle use.

• RM Fleet central booking helpline should be advised as soon as a positive test case has been
confirmed by the operational site, of the vehicle that requires cleaning. The booking can be
contacted - RM Fleet on 0345 2660005 (select option 3)
• Vehicle cleans will usually be actioned within 24 hours. Vehicles should be quarantined until
they have been cleaned, up to 72 hours from the time the individual last used the vehicle. If
a vehicle has been quarantined for 72 hours the vehicle can be brought into service without
the requirement to complete a clean.

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V16 up

Do I have to wear a face covering?

From 27 January 2022 in England, the requirement to wear a face covering in Royal Mail Group
indoor settings will change from mandatory to strongly recommended.

It is mandatory to wear a face covering in all indoor Royal Mail Group settings (including offices,
customer service points in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, shared vans and workplace
restaurants e.g. only remove face coverings when eating/drinking).

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V17 up

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