Postal Service to Test Daily Temperature Check Proof of Concept in Select Cities
The Postal Service is testing a daily temperature check “proof of concept” in Northern Virginia and Oklahoma City for employees reporting to work and returning from quarantine. The Postal Service has seen the impact of the pandemic as more than 5,000 postal employees are currently under quarantine and some 12,000 have returned to work following a quarantine. At least 60 postal employees have died from the virus, according to reports from Federal News Network.
National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando told members that the temperature check would be taken voluntarily and from a camera or scanner from a distance. Employees with temperatures over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be told privately, send home, and paid either emergency paid sick leave or administrative leave until the fever subsides.
USPS spokesman Dave Partenheimer told Federal News Network that the agency has been analyzing whether some of its work procedures may have to change while the pandemic persists.
“This includes evaluating potential new processes and procedures in order to continue protecting the health and safety of our employees and customers,” he said.
Last week on FEDtalk, Executive Vice President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Brian Renfroe highlighted the need for additional funding to provide postal employees with the necessary equipment and security to do their mission.
“What we need more than anything is for Congress and the Administration in the next round of stimulus to appropriate money to get the Postal Service through this pandemic. The Postal Service does not operate on tax money, it operates solely on the sale of postage and we are expected to see a drastic decline due to the economic impact on the economy… It is not about reforming the Postal Service, we are simply saying, appropriate money for us to get us through this pandemic just like Congress has previously done for a lot of private companies, we can deal with reform efforts later,” Renfroe explained.
The following facilities can expect temperature checks to begin soon:
Merrifield P & DC
Oklahoma City P & DC
Merrifield Carrier Annex
Fairfax, Va