Royal Mail staff ‘without sufficient protection’

The Foyle MLA said: “The response from Minister Scully is disappointing to say the least and while I acknowledge there is a general shortage of PPE, I cannot accept that our postal workers - the unsung heroes of this pandemic - are left without sufficient protection.

“Royal Mail staff have offered a lifeline within our communities yet they have been made to deliver nonessential advertising literature- I have heard cases where fliers were being distributed for retail shops which had been closed.

“This is a disgrace at such a high risk, critical period.

“I believe many postal workers’ reaction to this response will be similar to my own, one of dismay and that Scully is clearly a man far removed from the reality in sorting offices and on the streets.

“It is important that all protections which can be put in place, are put in place to safeguard our posties.”

In his letter, Minister Scully. said: “With regard to PPE, Royal Mail has indicated that it is following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidance which states that it is only beneficial to stop the virus spread for: people who are ill, coughing and sneezing to reduce them from spreading the virus to others; people who are caring for, or in close contact with, someone who is infected.

“People who are healthy only need to wear a mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected Covid-19 infection.”