Isle of Man Post Office has launched a free doorstep letter collection service.

The service was announced as the Post Office outlined the steps it is taking to protect the health and safety of its staff and customers.

Letters which are pre-stamped and addressed ready to be posted can be collected from the doorstep - but this will only be available when a delivery to the property is made.

This service is being billed as being particularly beneficial to those customers who are vulnerable and self-isolating.

Customers are being urged to refrain from approaching their postie on their rounds and ensure any dogs are kept securely on their property during a doorstep delivery.

Isle of Man Post Office says it is taking no chances when it comes to safeguarding its staff and customers.

For some time now, it has been putting in place an expansive range of measures across all its business areas, many of which will not be visible to customers.

Chief executive Simon Kneen said: ’With approximately 340 employees across multiple sites, we have had to introduce new ways of working to adapt to the current challenges Covid-19 presents.

’We have zoned all our areas to limit employee movements and ensure there’s no cross-contamination, with alternatives sites for each delivery office available should it be necessary to relocate.

’We have introduced staggered start times to ensure there are fewer postal workers working in one area at one time and we have also spaced out posties’ sorting frames.

’In all our sites, floor markers are in place to ensure social distancing is abided to and these have also been made available to post offices across the island.’

Mr Kneen added: ’We are grateful for the collaborative effort with the respective unions in supporting changes to working practices and processes in this unprecedented time.’

The Post Office has temporarily stopped its commercial Door2Door service although is continuing to deliver public safety announcements.

When it comes to deliveries, customer interaction has been limited with postal workers no longer handing over its hand-held devices to capture their signature, instead logging the name of the recipient.

Where a parcel is being delivered which will not fit through a letterbox, posties are placing the item at doorsteps, where it is safe to do so.

If there is no area safe to leave a parcel, they are leaving a ’while you were out’ card advising of other ways customers can arrange to get their item.

The Post Office’s workforce is split across differing sites, and many are now working remotely from home while others are self-isolating or keeping safe at home due to underlying health conditions.

With posties classed as key workers, teams are regularly briefed on practising good hygiene, hand washing and having available wipes, hand sanitiser and gloves. Masks are also available on request.