Peterborough residents asked to stop overflowing bins; food boxes for vulnerable residents sent out by councils

The city council is also asking that items are placed in the correct bins, which has also become an added problem.

It said: “Crews are noticing some residents are having non-essential clear outs at home and are filling bins with many more items than usual.

“This means crews are taking longer to complete their collections and could place strain on the teams if workers begin to fall sick and are unable to come to work during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

For more information about what should go in your bin, visit: https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/rubbish-and-recycling/bins.

Meanwhile. parcels of food and emergency supplies for the most vulnerable people in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire who are shielding from the coronavirus are being delivered to residents this week.

The Government has promised that a national food distribution scheme will be up and running shortly to support 1.5 million people nationally who need to be shielded from the virus for at least 12 weeks because of serious health and medical conditions.

Every one of those people is being contacted by the NHS to advise them of this, and to ask whether or not they have a reliable support network in place to make sure they receive food and medicines, and other supplies, to prevent them from having to leave their homes.

Those who do not have such a network will be provided with food and medicines via a national scheme which is being developed with food wholesalers, supermarkets and community pharmacies.

In the period up until this national scheme is launched, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council have been working with the British Red Cross to ensure that those residents who need food, medicine and emergency supplies are supported.

During the weekend council staff telephoned 400 local residents who they knew were shielding and who had indicated they did not have support networks to check what help was needed and arranged deliveries.

The councils said this work will continue as long as it is needed.

They have also been supported by a planner from the military and staff from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Rob Hill, assistant director for community safety for Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, said: “The NHS is building up a picture of who in our county is shielding from the virus and will need food and other items delivered. But, in the meantime, we have a role to play to ensure that those people are receiving the items that they need in order to remain in good health.

“Over the weekend we purchased food ourselves which council staff then delivered to those identified as in need. Everyone we are identifying as shielding from the virus and in need will start to receive parcels from us this week to ensure that they have what they need until the national food distribution scheme is up and running.

“We also know that people in this situation may need additional support, for example, befriending, delivery of magazines and books and other social-type support, and this is a role that our hubs network will fulfil.

“If you are at home and shielding because of serious health or medical conditions and we have not been in touch, please visit our Coordination Hub page or call 0345 045 5219.”

A warehouse facility has been secured in the centre of the county from which distribution of the parcels will take place via the local hubs network.

Residents are asked to note that they will not be asked for payment or bank card details, either at the door or by any other contact.