Covid impact on staffing leads to disruption in some areas’ bin collections
BIN collections across Nottinghamshire have been affected by Covid-related illness and self-isolation.
Waste collections in some areas are expected to be disrupted for “at least” this week.
Mansfield and Broxtowe have been affected by staff shortages amid the ongoing spread of the new Omicron variant.
Bassetlaw in the north had also been affected by “unexpected staff sickness”, but the council says all rural rounds that were impacted have since been completed.
The variant, while understood to potentially be mild, can spread easily and has already caused an influx in Covid patients needing hospital treatment particularly in the unvaccinated.
Community transmission also means more and more people, including vital key workers, are being forced into isolation.
This has impacted bin and waste services in Nottinghamshire.
Mansfield District Council says: “Unfortunately we’ve been unable to empty some bins as a number of our lorry drivers are self isolating.
“We’ll provide more information about missed collections as soon as we can.
“You may wish to take excess waste to a recycling centre.
“Due to staff shortages, our crews will not be able to return for any missed bins. Apologies for the inconvenience.
“Waste collections are likely to face ongoing disruption for at least the next week due to Covid cases.
“We’ll do our best to keep customers updated.”
And Broxtowe Borough Council added: “Unfortunately we haven’t been able to collect garden waste in Beeston and Bramcote.
“We are working to get these collected next week, so please keep an eye on our channels for further updates on this. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this.”
Other districts and boroughs are understood to have remained largely unaffected at this time.
A spokesman for Rushcliffe Borough Council said there were no issues with collections at present, likewise for Gedling Borough Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
A Nottingham City Council spokesman also confirmed waste services in the city are currently unaffected by Covid or related illnesses.