The UK’s postal operator, Royal Mail, remains open for business as the country faces lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.
With only essential shops and businesses allowed to remain open and people working at home, Royal Mail says delivering parcels and letters is crucial to keep the country operating.
Shane O’Riordain, managing director of regulation and corporate affairs at Royal Mail, says it is collecting, processing and delivering as much mail and as many parcels as possible.
He said, “The mail is still scheduled to be collected and delivered as normal. This is a fast-moving situation and local service levels may at times be impacted by local absences. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to deliver the most comprehensive service we can to all our customers in these difficult times.”
Royal Mail has three pieces of advice to simplify sending and receiving parcels easier in these circumstances.
It recommends those who send and receive parcels to download the Royal Mail app; register on the website if you are a regular sender; and those who ship regularly can print a label and drop parcels off at 24/7 parcel postboxes, or bring the parcel and phone to a customer service point and a label will be printed off.
For public safety, hand-held devices will no longer be handed over to customers for their signature.
Social distancing has been introduced for staff and other measures have been taken, including only one person being allowed in a delivery vehicle at one time.
Good hygiene is being promoted. “We have taken a number of measures and provided preventative guidance to our colleagues,” O’Riordain said. “This includes promoting regular hand washing with soap and water. We have good supplies of soap and paper towels. We are also providing disposable latex gloves, available on request. We are keeping colleagues informed through notices and internal TV updates.”