Coronavirus Update 19/07/2021

Date: 19/7/2021  |  Category: Coronavirus

From Monday 19th July, the government has confirmed a move to Step 4 of its lockdown plan, with the lifting of the majority of the legal restrictions. People will be expected to protect themselves and others through informed choice.

The government expects and recommends that face coverings are worn in crowded and enclosed spaces, such as public transport, when mixing with people you don’t normally meet.

Please be advised, although we are doing everything we can to safely keep services and sites running, however, we are also experiencing a rise in track and trace cases requiring team members to self-isolate, therefore staffing levels can change unexpectedly, at short notice. We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of Coronavirus or are self-isolating, we ask you to keep away from site until it is safe to return.

This decision to lift restrictions has been taken based on thelatest data and modelling, showing that the government’s “four tests” for easing covid restrictions have been met.

The four tests are:

  • The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
  • Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
  • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
  • Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.

Our metal recycling and waste management activities are classified as essential services and our team essential workers. We have remained operational with extended health and safety measures in place and we will continue to implement these additional measures for the foreseeable, as safeguarding our colleagues, partners, suppliers and customers remains our top priority.

We will continue to assess safety, reviewing advice and guidance from Public Health England, the Government and our industry bodies, including the British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA) and the Waste Industry Health and Safety Forum (WISH).

From Monday 19th July, Ward will continue to operate in the following way:

  • All our sites will be open from 8am to 4pm on Monday to Friday
  • Employees who wish to work from home are encouraged to do so, where possible.
  • Employees who are required to work on site or in transport roles have been provided with health and safety training, full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Masks will be required when inside and moving around all our sites
  • External visitors to our sites will need to register and we request that they provide their own PPE
  • Lateral flow tests of our employees will be carried out regularly
  • Travel will be minimized where possible

Key contacts:

We have come a long way, but we are still not without risks. We urge everyone to act responsibly and look out for each other’s best interests.

Thank you for your continued support.

Team Ward