Royal Mail : Removal of social distancing controls across the UK - from Monday 11 October

[POSTMAN]

Removal of social distancing controls across the UK – from Monday 11 October

As previously announced on Monday 4 October, in agreement with the CWU and Unite / CMA, we are now cautiously removing the remaining social distancing controls across the UK from Monday 11 October 2021. This means:
• All private cars on delivery must cease from Monday 11 October
• Shared van duties can commence across the country in line with the Shared Van SWI (Safe Working Instruction)

The following activities / areas can remove social distancing controls and return to normal:
Operational
• Bull ring operations
• Incline conveyor operations
• Drop bag fitting operations
• Loading and unloading of aircraft operations
• Delivery preparation frames / IPS fittings activity
• Two person loading and unloading in trailers
• Use of minibuses (in the event of these still being used, ventilation is key - as is wiping down the touch points).

Non Operational
• WTLL and In Class Training Courses (rooms must be well ventilated rooms)
• Administration areas (rooms must be well ventilated).
The risk assessments and safe working instructions (SWIs) associated with all these activities will now be archived, available for later use if required. As we return to business as usual, all activities listed above are now included within the generic task risk assessments and safe systems of work (SSOW).
Staggered start times can be relaxed if they are in place for social distancing reasons.
In the event of local outbreaks, the coronavirus unit risk assessments can be reviewed in line with local discussion on how the outbreak needs to be managed.
Remember, while undertaking all work activities / areas - face coverings are highly recommended in England and are mandatory in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Until further notice:
1. All controls in place for Test kits collection will continue
2. Contactless delivery will continue, no signatures are required for signed for items
3. In-cab driver training will continue with agreed controls.
Discussions regarding these topics continue and more communications will follow in due course.

In order to remain vigilant and avoid the transmission of the virus, it is really important to maintain the controls we still have. Please take the opportunity to check the standards in your unit:
1. Washing hands – regularly, for 40-60 seconds each time
2. Face coverings – strongly recommended in England and mandatory elsewhere unless exempt
3. Cleaning vehicles – at the start and end of duties
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.
Please click this link to go to version 10 of the updated Coronavirus Question and Answer document.
Coronavirus Testing
It is important that colleagues self-isolate when advised to do so, appropriate to the rules for their country. Colleagues with Covid-19 symptoms must self-isolate, book a PCR test and not come to work until they have either received a negative test or completed self-isolation.


Vaccinations
Vaccinations have helped to reduce the level of infections, severity of illness and hospitalisations in those inoculated. Autumn vaccination boosters have commenced for around 30 million people. They are:
• Adults over the age of 50
• Frontline health and social care workers
• Older adults in residential care homes
• Clinically extremely vulnerable people aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk of severe Covid-19
• Adults who share a household with vulnerable people.

We really appreciate the efforts everyone continues to make in maintaining preventative measures.

[qwerty2]

3. Cleaning vehicles – at the start and end of duties

[broughts]

Social distancing what was that not in my office total joke

[oypostie]

You mean we've had social distancing

[captain kaos]

FFS seriously

[Haditup]

Latest data provided on 10 October 2021
UK Covid Cases People tested positive
Daily 34,574 average
Total Last 7 days 260,787
Up 7.8% on last week

And they are lifting restrictions.
Go Figure!

[SpacePhoenix]

Latest data provided on 10 October 2021
UK Covid Cases People tested positive
Daily 34,574 average
Total Last 7 days 260,787
Up 7.8% on last week

And they are lifting restrictions.
Go Figure!

Covid is NEVER gong away, like or not we all need to learn and live with it. Social distancing and masks have compromised everyone's immunity to other stuff, the flu for example, we've not had the exposure to the usual bug and viruses that would normally build and maintain our immunity to them.

Social distancing was also wrecking the economy, as it made it not financially viable for a good few business to operate

[Haditup]

Latest data provided on 10 October 2021
UK Covid Cases People tested positive
Daily 34,574 average
Total Last 7 days 260,787
Up 7.8% on last week

And they are lifting restrictions.
Go Figure!

Covid is NEVER gong away, like or not we all need to learn and live with it. Social distancing and masks have compromised everyone's immunity to other stuff, the flu for example, we've not had the exposure to the usual bug and viruses that would normally build and maintain our immunity to them.

Social distancing was also wrecking the economy, as it made it not financially viable for a good few business to operate

Very true what you are saying ,Covid is an costly inconvenience but does unfortunately kills people ,cause disease, gives long term health issues.
Businesses should adapt to Covid and put extra measures in to protect their employees but RM are lifting restrictions when data shows Covid cases are rising.

[ConeHater]

3. Cleaning vehicles – at the start and end of duties

Have had anti-bac wipes available for those who wished to give the touchpoints a clean when taking over a vehicle, got in yesterday to find not so anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if RM has returned the unused stock to try and get a refund ! Guess I’ll have to demand a full cleaning kit instead . . .

[clashcityrocker]

Social distancing was also wrecking the economy, as it made it not financially viable for a good few business to operate

I haven't heard any undertakers complaining.
I think you will find Bojo wrecked the economy.

[wazer]

We've had more covid cases in work in the last 2 months than the whole previous 18 months.
Last two weeks over 20 cases.As normal management more concerned about tracked parcels.Vans r a mess u mention it and they say change van.If im in different van ,i clean it and dump all rubbish in a bag and then put it in a tray on managers desk.
Surley they should have had the whole unit cleaned. Yes we got cwu rep and h&s rep.

[iHateD2Ds]

We've had more covid cases in work in the last 2 months than the whole previous 18 months.
Last two weeks over 20 cases.As normal management more concerned about tracked parcels.Vans r a mess u mention it and they say change van.If im in different van ,i clean it and dump all rubbish in a bag and then put it in a tray on managers desk.
Surley they should have had the whole unit cleaned. Yes we got cwu rep and h&s rep.

My guess is Local Management probably do not report Covid positive cases because it just means more hassle and cost for the unit.
RMG seem to be carrying on like Covid doesn’t exist anymore .
The vaccine has rolled out and it’s up to you wether you get jabbed ,if you get Covid, “well tough titty,
we are trying to get rid off the oldies anyway”
Business as usual attitude.

[SpacePhoenix]

Latest data provided on 10 October 2021
UK Covid Cases People tested positive
Daily 34,574 average
Total Last 7 days 260,787
Up 7.8% on last week

And they are lifting restrictions.
Go Figure!

Covid is NEVER gong away, like or not we all need to learn and live with it. Social distancing and masks have compromised everyone's immunity to other stuff, the flu for example, we've not had the exposure to the usual bug and viruses that would normally build and maintain our immunity to them.

Social distancing was also wrecking the economy, as it made it not financially viable for a good few business to operate

Very true what you are saying ,Covid is an costly inconvenience but does unfortunately kills people ,cause disease, gives long term health issues.
Businesses should adapt to Covid and put extra measures in to protect their employees but RM are lifting restrictions when data shows Covid cases are rising.

What we really need to know is how many of the "covid deaths" are actually from other things and they just happend to have Covid. My gut feeling is that if you excluded them ones then the actual deaths figure will be much lower

[ssdd]

What we really need to know is how many of the "covid deaths" are actually from other things and they just happend to have Covid. My gut feeling is that if you excluded them ones then the actual deaths figure will be much lower

Indeed Space. The problem is, when you start highlighting these assumptions, you're in danger of being labelled a conspiracy theorist.

[SpacePhoenix]

What we really need to know is how many of the "covid deaths" are actually from other things and they just happend to have Covid. My gut feeling is that if you excluded them ones then the actual deaths figure will be much lower

Indeed Space. The problem is, when you start highlighting these facts, you're in danger of being labelled a conspiracy theorist.

Another thing they should tell is is what % of the cases were asymptomatic

Also for symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, "covid deaths", "non-covid" deaths (died of something else, just happened to have covid and hospitalisations, they should give an age group breakdown for each