Waste operatives ‘pinged’ by the NHS app were being forced to isolate if they came into close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. But all that changed when the government gave them a reprieve.

However, there are some rules they need to follow. Instead of isolating, they have to take daily tests and exemptions only apply to staff who’ve had both vaccines.

The so-called ‘pingdemic’ has plunged the country into chaos. Waste operatives were forced into isolation, which caused waste collections to be axed and rubbish to pile high on streets.

And before the list of key workers was updated, waste collections were being cancelled in London, the Midlands, Yorkshire, Oxfordshire and Stoke-on-Trent due to staff shortages.

But the rule change has allowed waste operatives to return to work which should see some kind of order brought back.

So why are they now seen as key workers again? 

Initially, workers in nine industries were made exempt from any ‘stay at home’ rules. These included people working in transport, security, the NHS and the police. But following concerns raised by firms and its own ministers, the government expanded the list of critical workers to include waste operatives.

Breaking the chain of transmission will help us learn to live with the virus, according to Health Secretary Sajid Javid. And Mr Javid said that waste operatives, prison guards and energy workers would help the country reach that point. 

And following the chaos, waste management operations should return to normal following the ‘pingdemic’.

CBS Waste can help you if you need a reliable company to collect any waste. We give all our customers Waste Transfer Notices for peace of mind. Book us by calling 01480 220434 or email us on info@cbs-waste.org.