Coronavirus - Covid-19 Masks Policy - Eurostar

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/113/20
18th May 2020
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS


Dear Colleague,

CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19 MASKS POLICY- EUROSTAR

Eurostar has informed me that it has implemented a new requirement for all passengers to wear masks from 4th May2020, aligning with the requirement in Belgium as of that date. France has implemented a similar requirement from 11th May. Both requirements are legislative measures designed to restrict the spread of Covid-19.

Eurostar has therefore asked its staff to wear masks from 4th May, Sating that it will issue each station and on-board employee two masks at the beginning of each shift, which will be of a surgical style and are single-use. Employees must wear masks after security, in the boarding lounge on trains and at stations in France and Belgium.

Your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee at its meeting on 13th May 2020:

We note the proposal on file from the company. Our members must comply with relevant health and safety law in the countries in which they work.

This item should form a template for how the GB rail industry should respond to the question of masks.

We instruct the General Secretary to raise this with the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum.

Any further developments to be placed before this NEC.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

I am acting as instructed and will keep you updated on developments. Please make the contents of this Circular available to all appropriate members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary