Hermes workers say the fear becoming 'super spreaders' as the visit up to 130 homes a day

A number of drivers say they are delivering non-essential items such as clothes
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Hermes couriers say they fear becoming ‘super spreaders’ as they visit up to 130 homes in a day.

A number have told the Evening News that depots had been kept open they were classed as key workers under the assumption that they are delivering essential goods such as food and medicine.

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But couriers have said most of the packages that they deliver are made up of non-essential items such as clothing from high street brands such as boohoo, JD and Next.

Hermes workers say the fear becoming 'super spreaders' as the visit up to 130 homes a dayHermes workers say the fear becoming 'super spreaders' as the visit up to 130 homes a day
Hermes workers say the fear becoming 'super spreaders' as the visit up to 130 homes a day

One claimed a colleague was met by a customer who had contracted coronavirus whilst delivering a package containing clothing to a home in West Lothian.

Another said: “We had been provided by wipes at the depot but there was a small pack to be shared between over 20 drivers. I have had to rely on a friend bringing me in gloves and on my own hand sanitiser to use when handling packages.

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“I do not mind having to deliver essential items and do our part as couriers. But to be risking our health, our customers’ health and that of our families to deliver clothes and other items just seems ridiculous.”

A third driver added: “Hermes does encourage you to self isolate should you have any symptoms however to gain access to the £1m funding they have set aside you have to get proof you have had Covid 19 which would be difficult without a hospital admission especially as they are not routinely testing the public. They have also not communicated well in terms of how to access the fund and even if you do apply for it and are successful you can only receive £20 per day and are capped.”

Hermes said that they have introduced a number of changes to provide ‘contact-free delivery’ to everyone’s doorsteps.

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A spokesperson said: “We are extremely proud of our couriers who are helping to ensure that deliveries are made everyday, including to the most vulnerable in society. Whilst this may include some clothing items we have seen a strong increase in orders for items such as hand sanitiser and soap, as well as electrical equipment to facilitate home working and schooling children at home.

“We are doing everything we can to help ensure the safety of our couriers and are regularly updating them on government guidelines. Following feedback around the national shortage of hand sanitiser and gloves we will now be providing these to all couriers should they need them.”