Reassurance after delivery of census forms in Skegness is impacted by Covid-19 at Royal Mail depot

Census Day is on Sunday, March 21 - but some readers tell us they have not received their forms.

Census Day was Sunday, March 21, and now officers will begin visiting those who have not filled in their forms.

Several readers contacted us to tell us they have not been able to fill in their forms because they have not received them.

This is in addition to other reports of delayed post in connection with the impact of positive Covid-19 tests at Royal Mail, which was confirmed to the Standard on Tuesday.

However, we have been assured that if residents get a visit from a census officer , they 'are not in trouble'.

A spokesman for Census 2021 said: "Don’t worry there is still plenty of time to complete your questionnaire.

"The information you provide for Census Day needs to be about who usually lives in your household.

"However, if you need to complete it after this date, there is no need to worry.

"If you have yet to receive your letter or if you have misplaced your letter, you can head online to www.census.gov.uk and request a new unique access code.

East Lindsey District Council added: "A visit from an officer doesn't mean you are in trouble - they will just fill in the Census with the occupant on the doorstep and submit the data for them."

The Standard was first made aware some areas may be experiencing a reduction in Royal Mail service levels earlier this week.

We contacted Royal Mail who said they were working hard to deliver 'as comprehensive a service as possible to all our customers in these challenging circumstances'.

A spokesman said: “Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously.

"There is currently two colleagues that has tested positive for coronavirus at Skegness Delivery Office.

"We wish them a speedy recovery. Some colleagues are also self-isolating via the test and trace app.

"We have carried out an intensive clean of the site and have organised additional cleaning of key touch points and all communal areas.

"We are keeping the CWU, PHE and colleagues updated. Our people are working hard to deliver as comprehensive a service as possible to all our customers in these challenging circumstances.

"Despite our best endeavours, it is possible that some areas may experience a reduction in service levels. We remain grateful to all our customers in these areas for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Royal Mail wished to stress that throughout this crisis, they were putting 'the health of people and customers first'.

"We have put in place a range of preventive measures to protect both our customers and our colleagues," the spokesman said.

"We were the first UK company to put in place social-distancing measures in relation to parcel delivery.

"We pioneered contact-free delivery. We are temporarily not handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures.

"As well as encouraging good hand hygiene, standard ways of working have been revised to ensure that colleagues maintain appropriate social distancing at all times.

"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."

One customer told the Standard they had been waiting for vital medicine.

"We were waiting for medication and important documents which were posted on the March 10 and had not arrived," she said.

"We tried to phone the Skegness Office but after 12 minutes the call was diverted to a central number and it was answered 23 minutes later.

"In a nutshell the advisor said that at the moment Royal Mail is only delivering post that is trackable, no first or second class.

"When my husband pointed out he needed his medication, the advisor told him to get an emergency prescription from his GP as they had no idea where his medication would be.

"He asked if he could go and get all our mail from the sorting office but was told 'no'.

"So there’s no point in anyone paying for first class post at the moment - it’s a waste of money.

"We do understand that there is a problem with coronavirus, but if it hadn’t been for you at the Standard highlighting this, how would anyone know about it as Royal Mail haven’t been open about this.

"I have now cancelled my prescription mailing service with Pharmacy2U, which up to now I've had no problems with, and are getting my prescription from Rowlands pharmacy."

Census officers to knock on doors after ‘Census Day’ on March 21