DPD Netherlands - statement concerning COVID-19 infections at a DPD depot in Germany

At the DPD distribution centre in Hückelhoven, Germany, infection with the COVID-19 virus has been detected among some of the staff. DPD Netherlands is in constant contact with its German colleagues about the consequences of this and supports them wherever we can.

The chance of the virus spreading through Hückelhoven within the European DPD network is small. This is mainly due to the strict prevention measures that DPD has taken for its employees throughout Europe. DPD Netherlands has also taken all the necessary measures on the basis of rules imposed by the National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM) that have applied since the start of the coronavirus crisis. This also applies to some of our drivers who recently unloaded trailers at the distribution centre in Hückelhoven. They had no direct contact with their German colleagues.

DPD Netherlands regularly informs its employees in all distribution centres about new developments and has had an external agency monitor the prevention measures. In addition, DPD Netherlands is in close contact with various regulators.

Prevention measures

DPD Nederland has made every effort to protect employees against the coronavirus as well as possible while continuing to provide services to customers. We have taken the necessary measures, both in our distribution centres and in our delivery and collection chains. These include the following:

• The unloading and loading of a trailer must be done by one person whilst keeping a distance of 1.5 metres in our distribution centres. Signalling on the ground helps with this.

• No physical contact, sneeze into your elbow at work and stay at home in the event of the slightest cold-like symptoms.

• Extra protection for our employees by adjusting shifts, so that there is a proper and broad distribution of employees on the shop floor.

• Compliance with the measures is strictly monitored by team leaders on the shop floor.

• Strict rules also apply to our parcel deliverers.

• Office staff work from home wherever possible.