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Blue bin collections resume in Belfast

Blue and brown bin collections have resumed in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
Blue and brown bin collections have resumed in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann Blue and brown bin collections have resumed in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

BLUE bin collections are to resume in the Belfast City Council area following new safety measures for workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

A week ago the council said it would only empty black bins until further notice to "protect the health and safety of its workers".

Brown bin collections were reinstated on Monday, and now blue bin collections will resume from today.

To help protect refuse collectors, screens have been fitted in bin lorry cabs to allow workers to adhere to social distancing rules.

Staff across the council have also been trained and redeployed to front-line services.

Belfast lord mayor Daniel Baker said the council will continue to review the situation but stressed that it "remains challenging".

"We would like to thank residents for their continued support and patience as we try to minimise service disruption in these most challenging of circumstances," he said.

A kerbside box trial in north Belfast remains suspended.

Bryson Recycling box collections are continuing, but there is some disruption.

Visit belfastcity.gov.uk/covid19 for the latest information on council services during the pandemic.

On Monday, Stormont issued guidelines on dealing with household waste during the coronavirus crisis.

This includes advising householders to disinfect the handles of their bins before and after collection.