HEREFORDSHIRE Council has issued an important update about its booking system for tips across the county.

As England unlocked after the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020, the council introduced a booking system for household recycling centre.

Throughout the year as all sites reopened, people wanting to use the tips had to book a slot online or by calling the council before visiting.

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And despite step four of the Government's roadmap out of England's third lockdown going ahead on Monday, there are no plans to scrap booking.

The council said it the system would stay in place after "proving to be successful at reducing queues and crowding at peak times".

Only residents of Herefordshire can book a slot, and people must provide their address and vehicle registration number.

A slot can be booked up to 14 days in advance, and four slots can be booked in a two-week period. A pass must then be shown to gain access, Herefordshire Council's website said.

The same system was put into place last year at all tips in the county, including Kington, Leominster, Ledbury, Bromyard, Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.

It was as the county's public health chief issued a warning that coronavirus had not gone away, despite lockdown easing.

Rebecca Howell-Jones, acting director of public health for Herefordshire, said: “Everyone in Herefordshire has played a huge part during the pandemic and I want to thank you all.

“However, even though a lot of the restrictions are being eased this week, coronavirus is not going away and indeed the number of cases in the county is rising and expected to rise further.

"I therefore ask everyone to make informed decisions to protect themselves and others and to continue to play their part in keeping Herefordshire safe.

“I, for one, will continue to wear a face covering in indoor public settings and on public transport and would advise and encourage you to do the same.

"I will also try to socialise outdoors as much as possible.

"We all know the hands, face, space (and ventilation) mantra and continuing to choose to take these actions can help protect ourselves, friends and families from Covid infection.”