Collections axed as workers isolate

Staff self-isolating or falling ill have led to bin collections being cancelled and others missed in a number of areas across Kent. In Canterbury, the city council has suspended its garden waste service “for the foreseeable future” because of the reduced service of its contractor, Serco, A spokesman said: “There are just not enough people to carry out the garden waste service and the focus must be on other types of collections – food waste, black bins and purple sacks.” Mr Davies stressed that food waste collections would continue, but refused to rule out further changes in the weeks ahead.

In Swale, households in Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham have had rubbish and recycling collections missed. A council spokesman said employees of contractor Biffa were either self-isolating or off sick.

In Thanet, residents who are self-isolating are being told to double-bag potentially contaminated waste and store it in a secure place for 72 hours before putting it out for collection.

Council chiefs in Thanet say these stringent measures should be followed by anyone asked to self-isolate – either as a precaution or because they have coronavirus.

In a statement to residents, the council said used tissues, cleaning cloths and disposable wipes should be put in a plastic rubbish bag, which should then be tied when full. The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied and put in a “suitable and secure” place for three days, after which it can be put out for collection.