Scotland’s construction industry has moved to the next phase of its restart plans, with workers allowed to return to sites gradually.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement of the next step of the restart plan on Thursday.
Earlier this week the rail union RMT called on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to protect vital jobs on the railway in a letter to the First Minister.
Since Scotland went into lockdown railway enhancement works have fallen under the same restrictions as the wider construction sector. The RMT was calling for these works to be recommenced with the strictest possible health and safety guidelines, a move it says would help to protect hundreds of jobs across Scotland’s railways.
In Thursday’s coronavirus update, Nicola Sturgeon said: “Now one area where we judge we can make some further progress now, is in the construction industry. I can confirm that the sector will be able to move to the next step of its restart plan – which is something that was always envisaged as part of phase 1 of our route map. So it is not a change to phase 1.
“Earlier steps have allowed for health and safety planning, followed by preparatory work at construction sites.
“And moving to the next step of the industry plan will now allow workers to return to construction sites gradually, while using measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene to ensure that they can do so safely.
“I am very grateful to the sector and trade unions for the very responsible approach that they have taken during an incredibly difficult time.
“It’s important to be very clear though, that we still have a long way to go before construction will be working at full capacity, but there is no doubt this is a significant step in allowing an important industry to return safely to work.”
Photo credit: Sirisak baokaew/Shutterstock
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