DRIVER shortages due to cases of Covid-19 mean some rubbish collection services will be later than usual.

Oxford City Council reported that Oxford Direct Services (ODS) is experiencing driver shortages due to Covid-19 cases, requiring them to self-isolate.

Currently, some mixed recycling, bin deliveries and garden waste collection services are affected, meaning some of these will occur later than usual.

Should more recycling and waste staff be required to isolate, ODS will enact ‘contingency plans’ to ensure collections are maintained.

This may mean prioritising core household collection services, such as mixed recycling, food waste and general waste.

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Services such as garden waste and bin deliveries may be suspended.

This is in line with the approach adopted by other councils across the country.

Other householders, however, have been caught out by earlier collections, missing fortnightly collections as crews have turned up far earlier than usual – creating a potential health hazard with waste standing in the heat for up to four weeks before collection.

Maria Warner, waste and recycling services manager for ODS, said: “We will continue to operate at near normal operation for as long as we are able to do so and will protect essential collections.

“We will keep residents informed of any changes that may occur.

“Please leave your bin out and we will try to collect this as soon as we can.”