Royal Mail delivery office in Swindon is forced to close after coronavirus outbreak

A Royal Mail delivery office has been forced to close after a coronavirus outbreak saw 1,000 workers sent home.

The firm said yesterday it had been forced to shut the centre in Swindon, Wiltshire, due to ‘resourcing issues’.

But it has now emerged that the plant has temporarily ceased operations after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

This means up to six local postcode areas will not receive any deliveries until tomorrow at the earliest.

A deep clean has since been carried out at the facility after 1,000 workers were sent home.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: ‘Following a positive test for coronavirus at the Swindon Delivery Office, we have closed the office as a precautionary measure.

‘During this time we have carried out an 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.

But it has now emerged that the plant has temporarily ceased operations after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 (file photo)

‘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.’