Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) plans to keep the county’s 16 recycling sites open on standard winter hours for essential use during the latest COVID-19 national lockdown.

Government guidance - gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home - has clarified that people can visit recycling sites as they are an essential service.

SWP is asking people to only visit sites if the trip is really necessary, for example because waste cannot be safely kept home or disposed of through kerbside recycling and rubbish collections

Recycling sites already have measures in place to protect the public and staff, including:

• Do not visit if you have COVID symptoms or have been asked to shield
• Maintain social distance
• Wear gloves and consider wearing a mask
• Maximum two people per vehicle from the same household
• Site staff cannot assist with unloading
• Vehicle and trailer permits continue – gov.uk/apply-for-a-permit

Staff will monitor site user numbers and control vehicle flow if necessary; visitors are asked for their understanding and patience.

The Reuse Shop at Taunton Recycling Centre will be closed during the lockdown.

SWP is also highlighting government guidance on how to dispose of personal waste if you have COVID symptoms or live in a household with someone who does.

Personal waste, such as tissues, facemasks and disposable cleaning cloths, should be double-bagged in black sacks, kept separate from other waste in the home for 72 hours, and then be added to your rubbish bin outside your home for the usual collection.

All residents are asked to maintain a social distance from collection crews. They should wash hands and disinfect container handles before and after putting out recycling boxes and bins.

For latest lockdown information, visit www.somersetwaste/coronavirus and follow @somersetwaste on Twitter and Facebook.

Public Health England (PHE) has issued this advice for anyone with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), including those with a diagnosis of infection, who must remain at home until they are well.

Personal waste (e.g. used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste within your own room. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin.

Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.

When cleaning, PHE advises using your usual household products, like detergents and bleach as these will be very effective at getting rid of the virus on surfaces. Clean frequently touched surfaces.

Full guidance for people staying at home because of confirmed or possible infection can be found on the Government’s website here.