Waste sector workers with ‘specialist technical skills’ are exempt from the government’s new public health measures which have outlined that UK arrivals will have to self isolate for 14 days.
The Home Secretary Priti Patel released on Friday (22 May) the government’s new public health measures at the UK border to guard against a second wave of coronavirus infections. The new regime, due to come into effect on 8 June, will be introduced across the UK but enforcement measures and implementation dates will be set individually by the devolved administrations.
The exemption states: ‘A worker with specialist technical skills, where those specialist technical skills are required for essential or emergency works (including commissioning, maintenance, repairs and safety checks) or to fulfil contractual obligations or warranty specifications in, or in connection with, waste management facilities used for the management, sorting, treatment, recovery, or disposal of waste (including energy from waste).’
The measures will be reviewed every three weeks. Further details are expected this week on what documentation and contact/travel information will be required for those entering the UK but who are exempt from the 14-day self-isolation rule.
You can read more about the government’s latest public health measures for UK arrivals on its website.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.