The island’s amenity sites have issued a joint statement to clarify their position during the lockdown.

The statement read: ’The four civic amenity sites take very seriously the ongoing pandemic and have collectively worked together for the last year to ensure that we all have the safety of our staff and that of the public at the heart of any decisions made on the operation of the sites.

’Taking into account the current spread rate of this "highly infectious Kent variant" and the number of cases surpassing recorded cases during lockdown 2020, we took the only decision available to us and that was to close the sites.

’Government maintains that we are in lockdown, which according to their guidelines is level 4 however, they constantly refer to ’Stay at Home’ which is level 3 and not to make any non-essential journeys.

’The police are also asking people to ’Stay Home’ and not put any additional pressure on the emergency services.

’The Bring Banks around the island have remained open during the last two lockdowns taking the pressure off the sites and the need for homes to stockpile their recycling.

’All four sites have also been affected by the closure of the school hubs, family members being in contact with or in a location associated with an infection cluster and those having to shield due to ongoing health issues.

’We understand people’s frustration and confusion, but we continue to monitor the infection rates, and as soon as we are able too, we will open the gates again.’

During the past two lockdowns amenity sites were required by law to close, but during the current circuit breaker rules, the decision is up to the site operators.

All sites have made the decision to close, based on government guidance aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.