THERE have been calls to protect the refuse collectors of Swindon as they perform a vital role during the coronavirus crisis.

Waste collections are continuing as one of the critical services provided by the borough council, although the local authority said on Thursday the Covid-19 outbreak would have an impact.

But the GMB union, which represents many refuse collectors across the country, says councils must make sure workers are safe and can stay at an appropriate distance from each other.

Swindon Borough Council says it is making the necessary changes, including crews being reduced to just a driver and a loader.

The GMB’s senior organiser Keith Williams – no connection to the borough council cabinet member of the same name – said: “Despite the government’s directive regarding social distancing and the lockdown, refuse crews are been instructed to carry on work as normal. This cannot be right.

“Employees are expected to go out in cabs that are inadequate for compliance with social distancing. Further, they have not provided with daily masks and anti-viral hand gel.

“The government directive on social distancing to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic is unequivocally clear that we should all keep two metres apart and only two people should be together unless they are living in the same household.

“We recognise the collection of refuse is essential in these times and we call on local authorities to put immediate measures in place with their waste management service providers to protect the welfare of our members.”

A spokesman for the borough council said: “The safety of our staff is always a top priority and we currently have social distancing rules in place and have made hand sanitisers widely available to staff.

“For the crews collecting waste and recycling, we are developing measures to enable staff to follow proper social distancing rules. One example is that crews will be reduced to just a driver and a loader and if additional manpower is needed, other crew members will be taken by mini-bus to the help.

“We are also asking members of the public to help keep our crews safe.

“For example, we are asking people who have, or are suspected of having, Covid-19 to place waste tissues, clothes or wipes in a plastic bag which should be tied up when full. This bag should then be placed in a second bin bag, which should also be tied when full.

“Our crews already wear full protective clothing and new measures will be explored later this week to see how we can go even further.”