Calls for more protection for postal workers during coronavirus outbreak

There are calls for more to be done to protect postal workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson has written the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma, after it has been revealed they are still being asked to deliver “junk” mail, despite the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The SNP MP says non-essential mail such as food menus and advertising promotions should be put on hold until measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic are no longer needed, to ease pressure on postal workers and reduce their risk of being exposed to the infection.

The Communication Workers Union has stated that this is a serious concern for their members and highlighted the role postal workers play in the UK’s coronavirus response.

Commenting, Patricia Gibson MP said: “It is simply unacceptable that our postal workers are being asked to continue delivering junk mail which often ends up straight in the bin, whilst shops and businesses across the country have closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“Many online business continue to send out magazines and sales promotions via Royal Mail, putting postal workers at risk.

“This mail is mostly useless at the best of times, never mind during a national crisis and postal workers must be protected by only being asked to deliver essential mail, thus reducing their chances of catching and spreading the deadly coronavirus to their families.

“After being contacted by a number of concerned postal workers in my constituency, I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, urging the UK Government to stop these non-essential deliveries, to protect the health and wellbeing of our postal workers.”

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• coronavirus