The government announced on 23 April that coronavirus testing would be available to all essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms.
Parts of the waste sector have been met with disruption because of staff shortages during the pandemic, as workers went into self isolation with symptoms without knowing if they had COVID-19.
As part of the announcement by the health secretary Matt Hancock, employers are able to book tests for employees showing symptoms.
Executive director at ESA, Jacob Hayer said that while the recycling and waste sector have had “limited disruption” despite challenges, a testing regime will ensure that those who test negative for the virus can continue to work.
Cornerstone
He said: “Making sure staff who are ill with Covid-19 stay away from work is a cornerstone of the WISH guidance, designed to keep frontline operatives safe during this crisis, so an effective testing regime support this and will help employees and players make the right decisions while limiting the transmission of infections. We would urge all operators to make sure their staff are aware of, and have access to, the new testing regime.”
Mr Hayler added: “The recycling and waste sector has continued to provide an essential device to society throughout the crisis and, for the most part, core recycling and waste collections across the country have met with only limited disruption, despite significant challenges.
“Service performance data suggests that we may be through an initial pea of staff absence, but in the long term, as effective testing regime is important to ensure that those who can return to work are able to do so, and those that are ill are able to self-isolate in certainty, or seek appropriate are if necessary.”
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