RUBBISH collections could be cut if more staff are forced to isolate by the Government's Covid track and trace system, a senior councillor has warned.

Bin collection staff have been ordered to isolate leaving rubbish collection firm Biffa understaffed, Nigel Avey, councillor for Environmental and Technical Services told Epping Forest's cabinet meeting on Monday.

He also warned the collections may need to be cut if more staff are ordered to self isolate.

It comes as various other industries, services and sectors have been hit by the so called pingdemic, leaving organisations and companies short-staffed.

Speaking during Monday's meeting Mr Avey, said: "I attended a waste management board today and Biffa is looking at driver shortages caused by general lack of drivers and also by the pingdemic that we have at the moment.

"They are managing to cope with the situation however I would think by the middle of August it may get worse in which case we may be faced with a decision about reducing services. They are doing a good job of coping. I will update members in real time."

Chris Whitbread, leader of the council, also called for note to be sent to the MP Dame Eleanor Laing to inform her that there could be a problem.

He said: "Let's hope there isn't but nationally we do have a problem with a pingdem and we have a number of council staff in isolation with positive Covid tests so we have to be mindful it is an issue and wherever possible we should try keep meetings online."

The warning over rubbish collections come after rail operators plan to reduce train services from next week because of staff shortages caused by the “pingdemic”, warning that it could lead to overcrowding.

Shoppers in Britain have been warned that the so-called 'pingdemic' could lead to "bigger gaps on supermarket shelves."

Stores throughout the UK, including Aldi, ASDA, Tesco, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Marks and Spencer, could face shortages in the next two to three weeks due to the effects of workers self-isolating.