RICF - Wearing of Face Coverings

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/430/21
22nd November 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

RICF – WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS

Your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 18th November to discuss a report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee following receipt of correspondence from the RICF following my meeting with them. The RICF reiterated the importance of wearing face coverings – particularly as infection rates rise, as follows:

Due to the recent increase in Covid-19 infection rates across the country it is important to reiterate the importance of complying with the current Government Guidance to help mitigate the risk of transmission of Covid-19.

Employees working in busy or enclosed environments are encouraged and recommended to wear face coverings when undertaking their duties to both protect themselves and others.
In wearing a face covering in busy or enclosed environments employees can act as good role models to help reinforce the message contained within station and on-train announcements of passengers also complying with the Government Guidance.

Employers will ensure stations and on-train announcements strongly encourage and recommend passengers wear face coverings in enclosed environments and when trains and stations are busy in line with Government Guidance.

Employers are continuing to maintain additional cleaning regimes including provision of hand sanitisers to help ensure passengers and employees are not exposed to a higher risk of infection when travelling on rail services.
Vaccines give you the best protection against Covid-19. They’re safe, effective, and easy to receive.

The report adopted by the NEC is as follows:

The General Secretary is instructed to distribute the RICF guidance to all branches and Regional Councils.

Additionally, GS to write to Grant Shapps in light of the RICF advice - and as we progress into the winter months - to state that mandatory use of face masks should be re-introduced on public transport.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you advised of developments.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary