Government services are obviously changing to adapt to the current crisis. We’ve received the information below, but do check the Cheshire East website for updates.
Waste
Cheshire East are going to keep the bin collection going for as long as possible. Put your bins out as usual.
The waste recycling centres have closed for now – please keep all your bulky or DIY waste. Don’t put it kerbside or in with your household waste or recycling.
In households where someone has a confirmed or suspected case (who are self isolating) of COVID-19 put your household waste into a plastic bag and tie it up when its full. Then put this plastic bag of waste into a second bag and tie that up too. It should be put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage until the individual’s test results are known.
You should store the waste for 72 hours before putting it out for collection.
This is to minimise the risk to collection operatives of being in contact with any waste that may infect them or exposing the atmosphere during the collections process.
Water
If you need help from United Utilities during this time…
- If you are due a visit from one of our teams and you’d rather postpone, we’ll completely understand and be happy to re-arrange this.
- We hope you understand that we are also checking as we arrange appointments and before we visit whether anybody in the home is ill or in self-isolation.
- If we should call at your home and you’re unwell, please let our teams know immediately so that we can take the necessary precautions to keep you and our teams safe.
- Please only flush the three Ps – pee, poo and paper (toilet paper only). Kitchen roll, wet wipes or newspaper down the toilet can cause major blockages in the sewers. This will really help our teams to focus their efforts on keeping our sewers flowing and reduce any blockages.
Our contact centres may be busier than usual. It would help our teams if customers only call us if you are unable to find the right information on our website www.unitedutilities.com, or if there’s an urgent issue with your water or wastewater services. You can also reach us through social media, through our mobile app, our online My Account service or web chat.
Post
See the latest information from the Post Office. Please remember to keep your distance from your postie, too.
Bereavement
If, sadly, you have lost someone during this crisis, please be aware that the operator of the crematoria and cemetaries – Orbitas Bereavement Services – are doing their best to minimise the impact of the crisis on their services – and their staff, of course.
If anyone has to register a death, registrations will be conducted via phone. The service is liaising with Leighton Hospital, Macclesfield General Hospital and GP surgeries across Cheshire East. Anyone needing to book an appointment to register a death should call 0300 123 5019.
We have received the following information (please remember that things change very quickly, so this may be out of date – do check).
In order to reduce the risks associated with the virus, for its staff and customers alike, Orbitas are taking the following steps
- Transfer to the catafalque – use of wheel biers at our crematoria is commonplace but Orbitas would strongly recommend use of a wheel bier in all cases. Staff will wear protective gloves when handling coffins.
- Hymn Books – these have temporarily been removed from the chapel to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
- Curtains – Orbitas are retaining the option to leave curtains open but would strongly encourage mourners not to approach or touch the coffin at any point during or after the service. This will be monitored and maybe revised.
- Funeral attendance – Colleagues and mourners should heed Government guidance around self-isolation, social distancing and hygiene such as that which can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/. Though Government social distancing guidance recommends avoiding public gatherings there are no firm restrictions in place and, as such, Orbitas have no immediate plans to restrict attendance at funerals. Should any firm restrictions be announced they will be implemented fully and hopefully people would co-operate so as to avoid any undesirable situations on the day of a funeral. Until then please bear in mind the possibility of webcasting the funeral service. Orbitas has already noticed additional interest in this and are aware that our service provider is doing everything it can to be able to cope with a significant increase in demand.
- Cemetery Offices – from close of business yesterday, 19th March 2020, the offices at both Crewe and Macclesfield will be closed to ALL visitors until further notice. Collection of cremated remains will continue as normal for the time being but will be from the crematorium buildings only and should be done by appointment to be made via the cemetery office.
- Grave selection – grave selection will not be available until further notice. New graves for burial will be allocated by cemetery staff based on the circumstances at the time.