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An outbreak of coronavirus has been confirmed at Barnsley’s Royal Mail sorting office with the company working to keep the effect on postal deliveries “to a minimum”.
Staff walked out of the Pitt Street office this morning and discussions with managers took place in the street, with many workers arranging personal coronavirus tests.
Some spoke of several colleagues testing positive for the illness, leading to the decision to leave the building, though Royal Mail has not confirmed a figure for staff who have become ill.
There is an expectation staff who are tested will be advised to self-isolate until their results are known, which could put pressure on postal services in the town.
New arrangements for safe working have been agreed with the Communication Workers’ Union, which represents mail staff.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously.
“Following positive testing for coronavirus at the Barnsley Delivery Office, we have carried out a full, enhanced clean of the building.
“We are working to keep disruption to mail deliveries to a minimum as we address the concerns of our colleagues.
“Throughout this crisis, every decision we make puts the health of our people and customers first.
“We have put in place a range of preventive measures to protect both our customers and our colleagues.
“As well as encouraging good hand hygiene, standard ways of working have been revised to ensure that colleagues stay two metres apart at all times.
“All staff have been briefed about the social distancing measures jointly agreed by local management and the CWU.
“This has been supplemented with visible reminders such as posters and one-way floor markings. In addition there is only one person permitted in a Royal Mail delivery vehicle at any one time.”
