Wigan's council services scaled back as staff isolate amid rise in Covid cases
Council services, such as street cleaning and non-urgent housing repairs, will operate at a ‘reduced capacity’ in Wigan as Covid cases continue to rise.
Wigan now has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester at 813.3 cases per 100,000 following a 47.8 pc rise in the seven days up to July 17.
The borough’s Covid figures are currently higher than at the second peak and could continue to rise as a result of restrictions being lifted on ‘Freedom Day’.
More than 60 environmental services staff were either self-isolating or unable to work last week alone and workforce pressures are expected to continue.
Essential council services, such as bin collections, emergency repairs and social care will be prioritised as they have been throughout the pandemic.
But ‘select’ non-essential services will be scaled back and some staff could be redeployed to help on the frontline as they did in previous waves of the virus.
Council leader David Molyneux, said: “Although many restrictions have been eased this week it’s crucial we don’t act as if Covid-19 has gone away.
“Our rates remain at a high-level and this is having an impact on our services, as it is across our partner health organisations.
“We are constantly reviewing our service delivery and events schedule with the health of our residents our top priority, as it has been throughout the pandemic.”
Labour councillor Chris Ready revealed that the local authority is under pressure at a full council meeting on Wednesday (July 21) when he urged councillors and their constituents to be ‘patient’ with town hall staff.
More than 150 staff across the council workforce were required to self-isolate in June – and as Covid continues to spread through the working-age population, more staff shortages are expected for weeks to come.
The rollout of the vaccine could also be slowed down as those who test positive for Covid have to wait 28 days before they can have their jab.
This means it could be months before services return to normal operations.
Council bosses say they will continue to encourage everyone to keep doing the ‘simple things’ to help stop the spread of the virus within the borough.
Public health measures – including the wearing of face coverings, capacity limits and social distancing – will remain at libraries, Life Centres and other council buildings across the borough for the safety of residents and staff.
Wigan’s director of public health, Professor Kate Ardern, said this is another ‘crucial stage’ of the pandemic as cases continue to rise across the country.
Shes said: “Now is certainly not the time for us to scale back on our public health guidance and we will continue to encourage residents to remain cautious.”
Coun Molyneux added: “I’m sure that everyone will understand why these steps are being maintained given our current circumstances.
“Ensuring our residents stay safe is our priority and we very much appreciate everyone’s patience and support.
“We therefore urge everyone to keep doing their bit to ‘Keep Wigan Borough Safe’ and continue to be kind and considerate to one another.
“Throughout the past 18 months we have highlighted the wonderful sense of community spirit we have in our borough and recognised the contributions of staff to help keep our services running.”