Royal Mail orders workers to keep a ‘safe distance’ from homeowners by leaving parcels on doorsteps

Royal Mail postal workers have been ordered to leave parcels on customers’ doorsteps to keep a ‘safe distance’ from homeowners as the coronavirus crisis intensifies.

Postman and father-of one Ethan Gordon, from Boston, Lincolnshire, took to Facebook to outline the instructions to customers ‘for their safety and all posties alike’.

It comes as Britain’s coronavirus death toll increased by 180 in 24 hours bringing the total fatalities to 1,408.

Mr Gordon’s post reiterated the instructions which state that postmen and women will not to let customers sign electronically for packages, instead ticking off ‘signed for’ items themselves. 

The Royal Mail worker posted a selfie taken in his van with a cat, adding: ‘So I’m a postie (and a dad, a husband, a son and an awesome friend!!) and would like to inform you of some important information. 

‘We deliver your parcels and letters every day.

‘What you may not be aware of is we are classed as key workers through these terrible times. 

‘The CWU (our union) have offered us to become an emergency service for the public.

‘If things get worse, then us posties could be delivering healthcare products, food and even medication.’

Mr Gordon then detailed what the public must do to adhere to Royal Mail’s strict new guidelines which ensure their workers make no contact with customers.

He continued: ‘All that is asked from the public is:

‘1. Think about safety first, for yours and the postie.

‘2. If you see a postie coming towards your door please do not open your door. 

‘We will sign your parcels and letters for you. 

‘We will leave the parcel, food or medication on your doorstep and then knock. Give the postie enough time to step away from the door.

‘3. If you are already outside your house, go inside or step away two metres from your postie. 

‘Please do not approach your postie. If we tell you to stop and back up or close your door, don’t feel offended. We are only trying to help protect you and us from this virus.

‘4. Lastly, if you see us out and want to stop us to have a chat, feel free, it can be a lonely job.

‘But, remember to stay at least two metres away from your postie. No handshaking, fist bumps, high fives, and certainly no kisses on the cheeks.’

Mr Gordon finished the post by encouraging people to ‘stay safe’ in order to beat coronavirus together.

He said he had spotted the post online and decided to share his own version, adding step four to encourage the public to speak to their postie during these lonely times.

He said: ‘It’s great that it’s got so much attention and the awareness has spread but I can’t take full credit for it.

‘I feel great knowing that it’s got so far around the country. 

‘People in London, Brighton, Manchester, even Cornwall have seen, shared and liked the post along with some really nice comments.’ 

Mr Gordon admitted that not all of the customers on his postal round are aware of the current crisis.

He said: ‘There are some customers on my round that aren’t internet savvy. 

‘They sometimes still come to the door to greet me and it’s at this point I repeat the current procedures to them. It is for their safety and all posties alike. 

‘But, mostly everyone is happy to comply and understands why.’

Mr Gordon said he is starting to see more and more households making changes in how they accept their post.

He said: ‘In terms of the new delivery technique – a high percentage of people are taking this very seriously.

‘Members of the public haven’t said too much really. The topics of discussions are the same usually; weather, plans for the weekend (as restricted as they are now). 

‘Mainly, customers have been so nice about us posties being a sign of some normality in testing times.’ 

The postman is keen to let the country know that ‘Royal Mail are still operating, along with other delivery drivers around the country.’

‘We are helping the country tick over’, he said.

‘Mainly it’s to push social distancing, including when us posties rock up to customers’ doors to deliver mail or parcels. 

‘Please, everyone, stay indoors while we approach your home, we will sign all letters and parcels needing a signature and will place them on your doorstep before we knock and step away at least two metres.

‘If you’re not home then we will follow normal guidelines and leave you a note to say it has been returned to your local delivery office. 

‘If you are unable to get to your door or cannot bend down to collect your post then please let your postie know, if not already aware, and we will seek alternative delivery options.’

Guidance on Royal Mail’s website states: ‘In order to protect both our people and customers as much as possible, we are minimising contact during delivery. 

‘We will not be handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures but instead log the name of the person accepting the item. 

‘Additionally, for all customers where we need to deliver any item that won’t fit through your letterbox, we will place your item at your door. 

‘Having knocked on your door, we will then step aside to a safe distance while you retrieve your item. 

‘This will ensure your item is delivered securely rather than being left outside.’    

Postman dons fancy dress costumes on his rounds to make customers smile amid the coronavirus crisis

A postman is donning a different costume every day to keep spirits up during the coronavirus pandemic.

Jon Matson, 39, who does the rounds in Boldon, South Tyneside, has started heading to work in fancy dress to make each day a bit brighter for the families he sees.

So far, Mr Matson has dressed up as a cheerleader and Little Bo Peep as they get to grips with new lockdown measures.

Mr Matson said: ‘Everyone is uncertain at the moment and you are the only person outside of the family that they see, so why not give them something to smile about.

‘It’s really nice to see people come out to see me.’ 

Jon takes part in the Boxing Day Dip in South Shields every year for charity Cancer Connections – so had a collection of costumes ready.

He doesn’t want to give too much away about which outfits are coming next and has instead asked the public to keep their eyes peeled for him coming down their street.

Zoe Grant, who lives on Mr Matson’s postal route, was full of praise for his hard work and how much he has done to make everyone smile.

She said: ‘Jon is sending such a positive message to the residents that this virus is not all doom and gloom and even our key workers who are still out there doing their jobs to keep the nation running and saving lives can do it in good spirit and with a sense of pride and humour.

‘I’m proud that Jon is my postman and I can’t wait to see his next costume.’ 

While Jon admitted he has a worry in the back of his mind about the risks of still going to work, he is grateful that he can stick to his normal routine and continue to see his much-loved customers on a regular basis.

He added: ‘Seeing everybody helps me keep my spirits up too.’