Panic as postal service worker contracts COVID-19

Workers at the zonal office of the Nigerian Postal Service, Ibadan, Oyo State, are apprehensive after one of them reportedly contracted coronavirus.

It was learnt that the management of the NPS, however, refused to fumigate the building, as staff members were allegedly forced to continue working.

A source said the workers lived in fear that they could be exposed to the virus.

“We actually run four shifts. One of those at the office on Monday, June 8, contracted the virus. The management later announced that those on Monday shift should self-isolate.

“The issue is that the last time the person came to the office, many people were around because they were told by their departmental heads that they would write their revenue returns. In other words, they have been exposed as well.

“To worsen it, the management did not fumigate the office, where we have over 300 workers,” he said.

It was gathered that workers on shifts from Tuesday to Friday were redistributed to cover for the gap left by those on the Monday shift.

Another source said before the reopening of the zonal office in May, the postal service did not provide sanitisers and hand wash to guard against the transmission of the infection.

“As we speak, they have refused to reveal the identity of the person who had the virus to help us know our level of contact with him or her.

“The Zonal Head of Operations, Mr Folarin Williams, instead of heeding the advice to fumigate the building, insisted that mail must continue to move,” the source added.

Folarin’s phone was picked by his son, who said he was unavailable for comment.

The Zonal Manager, Mr Simon Adoyi, confirmed that a female worker contracted the virus.

He said, “A staff member contracted it in her domain where she is staying. Her schedule was on Monday, June 8.

“Last week Saturday, she told her head of department that she came in contact with a friend who had the virus. Since that June 8, she has not been in the office. All those at the office that had contact with her are away.”

He noted that a company had been contracted to fumigate the office, adding that the bill for the job was submitted to him on Friday.

The zonal head described as false the report that the postal service lacked sanitisers and hand wash.