The town’s recycling schedule is not expected to change in the wake of the Government’s new exemption rules which allow workers from some jobs to forego self-isolation. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng outlined the new rules last week, with workers from 16 different sectors included. One of the sectors on the list was waste collectors. 

The borough council’s waste collection schedule is one of the things affected by the‘pingdemic’ which has led to staff shortages because workers are being told to self-isolate by the track and trace app.

But householders are wondering whether the exemption will mean collections, which have been moved to a monthly timetable, could be made more frequently again.

Sandra Davis, from Nythe, said: “I did wonder if things would change again but when I thought about it it didn’t really matter as our next collection was only a week away anyway. 

“By the time they’ve figured it all out it’s not like they’re going to come any sooner.”

The council has added an extra 500 booking slots at the household recycling centre, including much-requested evening slots, to help with the problem.

But Coun Kevin Parry, who arranged the extra slots has reiterated that the priority was the safety of the waste workers

“The Government’s new measure will mean we can ensure our staff are safe as well as providing the service our residents expect,” he said.

A council spokesperson said: “We are currently going through the process to understand the requirements and how we can make the best use of the new guidance.”

This means that in the meantime the recycling collections for everyone in Swindon will remain as previously announced by the council when they brought in the new changes. 

The authority said in its announcement that the changes would be under review. 

NHS workers were also included in the new Government ruling and Great Western Hospital has already put into place steps to allow any of its self-isolating staff to return to work quicker. 

A hospital spokesperson said: “Following updated guidance from NHS England, we are reviewing staff who are ‘pinged’ by the Test and Trace app. Some eligible staff will undertake a risk assessment that will deem if it is safe for them to return to work.”

It’s possible that Swindon Borough Council might employ a similar policy.

Another cited cause for the changes  being brought in was a national shortage of HGV drivers. So it remains to be seen how much of the issue was staff self-isolating and what impact these new government exemptions will have, if any.