Scottish government orders all non-essential construction work to stop immediately.
New guidance from the Scottish government on public health during the coronavirus crisis makes clear that work on construction projects should only continue if it is directly crucial to combatting the coronavirus pandemic.
Even essential projects can only continue operating if they can comply with guidance on social distancing, safety and welfare during the COVID-19 outbreak. Any site unable to meet these requirements should close, reports industry news portal, The Construction Index.
The government gives examples of ‘essential’ projects, including Edinburgh Children’s Hospital and Department of Clinical Neurosciences. The work is not directly contributing to the COVID-19 situation at this point, but could provide additional capacity if the situation changes, it says.
“We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for businesses of all kinds, but the Scottish government’s priority is saving lives and fighting COVID-19. To this end, all construction sites should close unless they are essential to the health and welfare of the country during this crisis,” says economy secretary Fiona Hyslop. “I want to make clear our thanks to the construction workers who are continuing to work on these essential projects.”
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