LTB 544/21 – RMG Re-Introduction of Mandatory Face Masks in England From 30.11.21 – Face Masks Supplies To All UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) Units and Sites

No. 544/2021

13 December 2021

Our Ref:  E1/21 

To:  All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

RMG Re-Introduction of Mandatory Face Masks in England From 30.11.21 – Face Masks Supplies To All UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) Units and Sites:

LTBs 517/21 and 532/21 communicated the Royal Mail Group Executive Board decision to re-introduce ‘Mandatory Face Masks’ in England on 30 November 2021 with CWU support. Mandatory Masks were already in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A request was made to Royal Mail Group to guarantee ample supplies of masks, gloves and sanitizer etc., to all Royal Mail Group Units across the UK and to ensure that no Unit would run out of stock.

On Friday 10 December responses were received from the Royal Mail Group Head of Assets and the CEO confirming that ample stocks of both ‘disposable’ and reusable’ masks and other items were held in Swindon and that in response to the demand for face masks, Royal Mail Group have pushed out an increased supply of disposable face masks to all sites, directly from Swindon Walk Bundling Centre, from current stocks held. This equated to:

  • 758,300 masks or
  • 15,166 packs of 50 masks.
  • These were dispatched daily commencing from 2nd December 2021.

Following the RMG Executive Board decision to re-introduce ‘Mandatory Masks’, RMG Assets have procured a further:

  • 8 million disposable face masks (supplied in either packs of 25 or packs of 50).
  • 100,000 cotton, 3-layer, re-usable face masks (supplied in packs of 5).

‘Dimensions’ Demand Position (Disposable Masks)

  • From July to November 2021 disposable face masks were supplied from Swindon at an average volume of 1,000 packs a week.
  • Following the announcement regarding the return to mandatory masks in England from 30 November, demand rose to 13,000 packs a week and rising.

‘Paragon’ Demand Position (Re-Usable/Washable Cotton Masks)

  • The average weekly volume supplied has risen from 290 to 1,450 and rising since the mandatory face masks announcement.

Overall Face Mask Demand Position Following the Mandatory Face Masks Announcement

  • A 732% increase in demand.
  • Last week 135 Offices ordered 2,124 packs (10,620 individual re-usable face coverings).
  • This week 52 sites ordered 801 packs (4,005 individual re-usable face coverings).

The Face Masks Ordering Process:

Ordering Disposable Face coverings:

Disposable face masks and disposable gloves can be ordered via the ‘Dimensions online Portal’ (you go to the ‘pool stock’ screen). Dimensions portal order limit is 50 packs per order but there is no limit to how many times a unit can place orders.

Ordering Re-usable Face coverings:

  • Re-usable face coverings are ordered via Paragon using the web site: https://store.paragon-cc.co.uk/rm-stationery.
  • If a user doesn’t have an account, they can set up a new account using their RM email address.
  • If their address doesn’t appear in the drop down list they should:
    1. Select any of the delivery addresses from the list.
    2. Then use the ‘Edit Address’ button.
    3. Then click to edit the address fully.

NOTE: If any problems are experienced regarding supplies, the Office Manager or PiC should contact Uniform@royalmail.com without delay.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 544/21 – RMG Re-Introduction of Mandatory Face Masks in England From 30.11.21 – Face Masks Supplies To All UK