Waste and recycling collections in St Helens will continue to operate daily during the coronavirus crisis.
The council said plans are in place to ensure essential services, including waste and recycling, continue as normal.
A spokesman said staff will be brought in from other services if necessary to assist with waste collection services.
In addition, residents who have shown suspected symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to dispose of used tissues and cleaning cloths in a secure bin bag.
“The council’s main waste and recycling collection service is continuing to operate a normal daily service,” a council spokesman said.
“We have plans in place to ensure essential services, including waste and recycling, continue for our communities, and if necessary we will utilise staff from other services to assist with waste collection services.
“National government guidance for those who have symptoms of COVID-19 is to dispose of any used tissues or hygiene products (such as disposable cleaning cloths) in a bin bag, tied securely.
“These bags should be placed into another bin bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste.
“This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your general household waste bin (brown bin) for collection as usual.
“Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.
“There is no need to arrange for a clinical waste collection for this type of waste.”
While the core collection service is due to keep running unchanged, the bulky refuse collection service has been scrapped for now.
The council said it will honour appointments that have already been made.
A council spokesman said: “Due to the current situation we are unable for the foreseeable future able to offer a bulky refuse collection service, appointments already made will be collected but you will not be able to book a new collection.
“We will let you know as soon as possible when collections will start up again.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience.”
The council said the green bin service is also running as normal, although some collections have been delayed this week due to staffing shortages.
These collections will take place on Saturday.
There is no impact on clinical and medical waste collections currently.
