The staff members were both drivers but working on separate teams, Serco has confirmed.
This comes as Milton Keynes council has said 40% of its waste collection teams have been unavailable as a result of having to self-isolate or shield, and as a result its garden waste collections have been suspended until further notice.
The council added that Serco, its waste collection partner since 2009, has seen an increase of COVID-19 positive tests.
Mark Sturgeon, senior contract manager at Serco, said: “Sadly we have recently lost two of our colleagues on our Milton Keynes team to Covid-19. Our deepest condolences go out to their families and friends. Both colleagues worked as drivers on the contract but within separate teams. They will both be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with them.
“I would like to reassure the local community that our first priority is the safety of all our employees. We are taking all appropriate measures in line with Government guidelines. In addition, our workplaces and activities are risk assessed and we carry out regular reviews to ensure the highest standards are maintained.”
Suspension
In a statement yesterday (13 January) announcing the garden waste collection suspension, the council didn’t reference the deaths but said cases are “seriously high” in Milton Keynes.
“Sadly we have recently lost two of our colleagues on our Milton Keynes team to COVID-19. Our deepest condolences go out to their families and friends.”
“As a result of reduced staffing, we’re suspending food and garden waste collections throughout MK from Thursday 14 January until further notice”.
Testing
The council added in its statement that it has arranged for its front line crews to have access to rapid tests.
“Our waste collection partner Serco has seen an increase of Covid-19 positive tests and staff requiring to isolate or shield. The situation is one that changes rapidly. In recent days nearly 40% of the waste collections teams have been unavailable. So, to protect our core services we now need to prioritise collection of black and clear sacks,” the statement reads.
It adds: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious situation. As well as ensuring that protective measures are followed, we have arranged access for front line crew members to have rapid COVID-19 tests (with results known within an hour) to identify people who have the virus with no symptoms. Around one in three people with COVID-19 have no symptoms. These people can then isolate and break the chain of transmission.”
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