Covid cases in the UK have risen dramatically in recent weeks, largely driven by the new highly transmissible Omicron variant. This has prompted widespread Covid-related staff absences, as those testing positive for the virus have been forced to self-isolate. As a result of staff shortages, bin collections have been cancelled across the country.

       Councillors in the following areas have confirmed that some bin collections have been scaled back or delayed, according to Sky News.

       READ MORE: Will February half term be brought forward? Latest on school closures

       Many councils are having to catch up on missed bin collections over the festive period.

       Chelmsford City Council in Essex confined that it had cancelled three days’ worth of food waste collections, as 23 members of their staff were absent.

       A spokesman for Chelmsford City Council said: “This is not something that we wish to do, but unfortunately due to severe staff shortages caused by coronavirus isolating and illnesses we had no choice.

       “We are down by 23 members of collection crew staff and are even struggling to secure temporary staff from agencies because agencies are having the same problem.

       Because of this short-term problem, we have had to make some difficult decisions.”

       Birmingham City Council has apologised for missed collections over the Christmas period.

       It said bin collection crews had been impacted by Covid-related staff shortages in the week leading up to 30 December.

       A staggering 1,000 recycling bins in North Somerset weren't picked up on New Year’s Eve due to staff shortages.

       North Somerset Council said its services were "stretched due to staff sickness".

       The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils across England, has admitted it doesn’t know when bin collection services will return to normal.

       An LGA spokesman said: "As cases of COVID-19 rise in light of the Omicron variant, councils are concerned that these existing staffing issues may get worse.”

       The refuse collection isn’t the only public sector to be hit with crippling staff shortages.

       NHS England reported that one in 10 staff were absent because of Covid at the turn of the year.

       This figure could rise significantly in the coming weeks as Covid cases continue to soar.

       Many fear schools could close due to staff shortages. The Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, admited that “that some remote learning will be necessary” in the New Year.