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An Exeter postman who is valiantly putting his own health at risk to continue delivering essential post has told how his workload is ‘as bad as Christmas’ due to the volume of items being purchased online during lockdown.
Mike Vinnicombe, who has been a postman for 31 years, is asking people to only buy essentials and says there are simple things we can all do to help reduce the risk of postal workers catching coronavirus.
Mike, who delivers to around 590 homes in the Wyvern Barracks area of Exeter, said: “I have never come across anything like this before. It’s very strange and surreal.
“The streets are empty and when I have to knock on someone’s door people are tending to talk to me more because they ask how things are going, and for many – especially the elderly – I’m the only person they see.
“There’s definitely a lot more worry doing the job now because of what you’re touching and trying not to get close to people. I’m not allowed to hand over packets anymore.
“Instead I have to put them on the doorstep and stand back and wait for the person to open the door. Anything that needs a signature we have to do it for them.
“The other strange thing is everybody is home. Yesterday I must have had about 70 packets and everyone was in.
“The volume of packets is as bad as Christmas; it’s gone absolutely crazy. I suppose as everyone is home they are ordering things online, but it’s not just essentials unfortunately which makes our job that bit more difficult.
“I thought things would maybe quieten down a bit, but it has gone the opposite way.”
(Image: Mike Vinnicombe)
What Mike, 50, says is keeping him going is the community spirit being shown by his customers.
His partner, Julie Conibere, has put an appeal on Facebook asking people to donate spare hand sanitiser to their postman or postwoman as they are struggling to get hold of any to keep them protected while they are out doing deliveries.
Mike said: “I wear gloves, but you don’t know for sure how effective they are, and every time I go back to the van I use hand sanitiser to make sure my hands are clean. Luckily enough so far I’ve been okay.
“I had run very, very low of hand sanitiser and you can’t get it anywhere so I was very grateful when a customer gave me some after seeing Julie’s appeal. It will keep me going for the next few days.
“I’m a bit concerned after getting coronavirus, but I’m not in the vulnerable bracket and I am quite fit and healthy because I walk around nine miles every day. But I’m still very, very wary of catching something.
“It’s the elderly I feel more scared for as obviously I don’t want to transmit anything to them when I’m delivering their mail.
“A few people have said to me they have cleaned their letterbox and door bell. It would be great if more people did that.
“A customer has also given me a face mask which I will probably start wearing as every little helps.”
The NHS says you must not leave your home if have the following symptoms
- A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
If you have these symptoms, The NHS says: “To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.
“Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.”
At the Royal Mail sorting office, Mike says staff are keeping two meters apart and are also working harder than ever due to a reduced workforce.
He said: “We have hand sanitiser in the office, but when you’re out and about you have to take your own and do the best you can to protect yourself.
“They are providing gloves, but they are very thin on the ground. Management is doing their best. They are also dealing with a lot of sickness as well. Quite a few postmen have been off this week but management are very happy with how everyone is coping.”
Mike is hoping more people will leave any spare hand sanitiser on the doorstep for postmen and postwomen to keep them safe in the weeks ahead.
Royal Mail has imposed new work guidelines to protect both staff and customers. In its latest Coronavirus update, Royal Mail have stated its service remains open for business.
Shane O’Riordain, managing director of marketing, regulation and corporate affairs, Royal Mail said: “We are delivering the many items that people order online six days a week across the UK. Throughout this crisis, we are committed to delivering the most comprehensive service we can to all our customers.
“Despite our best endeavours, it is possible that some areas of the country may experience a reduction in service levels due to Coronavirus-related absences at their local mail centre or delivery office.
“The delivery of parcels and letters is a key way of keeping the country together and helping many people who may not have the option to leave their homes. We are also delivering important documents like hospital appointments and medical prescriptions.
“We will continue to play our part as best we can. We would like to thank all our colleagues across the UK for helping to keep the nation connected in such challenging circumstances.”
