Give a thumbs up to posties

We’ve had colourful rainbows and rapturous applause for the NHS, there’s been clapping for carers, and now people are being asked to show their appreciation for our postmen and women while they’re doing their rounds.

Royal Mail is urging its customers to give their postie a “thumbs up” – from a safe two-metre distance – as they go about their rounds during the coronavirus pandemic.

They’re asking children to create “thumbs up” pictures and place them in their windows as part of the initiative.

Templates are available to download from royalmail.com.

Adults shouldn’t feel left out and can give their postie a personal “thumbs up” from a safe distance of two metres – just over the height of a post box – to maintain social distancing,

Giving a thumbs up is also a handy reminder not to reach out to try and take parcels directly from postmen and women to ensure contact-free, safe delivery.

Royal Mail’s postmen and postwomen are at the heart of communities in and around Wishaw in which they work.

The delivery of letters and parcels is an important way to keep connected for those who may be unable to leave their home.

Postmen and women across the country have been inundated with thank you messages and pictures from children and customers.

People can also share selfies with their thumbs up using the hashtag #ThumbsUpForYourPostie.

Ricky McAulay, national service delivery director for the Royal Mail Group, said: “We know how much people like to say hi or have a chat with their postie on the doorstep.

“We hope that giving a thumbs up is a handy way of reminding people to keep a safe distance when we are out and about delivering the post.

“I would also like to thank our people for doing such a great job at this challenging time.”

Royal Mail has introduced a contactfree delivery service.

Where an item won’t fit through a customer’s letterbox, the postman or woman will place the item at the customer’s door, knock and step aside to a safe distance while they retrieve their item.

The company has also placed a temporary halt on handing over handheld devices to customers to capture signatures.