UK grinds to halt over isolation rules

Bin collections have been cancelled across the country, with councils in Manchester, Essex, Somerset and Buckinghamshire scaling back or suspending waste collection due to a lack of workers. A shortage of COVID-19 tests is also exacerbating the problem – under new rules, people are allowed to end their isolation if they test negative on day six and seven, but have to remain in isolation until day 10 if they are unable to take a test. It is understood that the Government will this week announce plans to prioritise key workers such as nurses, lorry drivers and Government officials for Lateral Flow Devices (LFDS). Almost one in 10 NHS staff were absent from work on New Year’s Eve, according to new data seen by the Sunday Times.