RAF Lossiemouth in move to reassure community amid Covid alarm
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
RAF Lossiemouth has moved to reassure locals after it emerged yesterday that two runway workers tested positive in antibody tests which indicate they may have had Covid-19.
News of the tests comes amid widespread anxiety among locals, many of whom have raised concerns in recent weeks over workers travelling to and from the base from around the UK during the pandemic.
The area's councillor said last night the situation highlighted the need for the MoD to take heed of community concerns.
Volker Fitzpatrick, which is undertaking the £75 million runway resurfacing contract, confirmed the results through its own weekly testing regime.
The workers involved have been isolated and are awaiting results of NHS tests. If either are positive, NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect policy will come into effect.
Runway work was halted yesterday for a deep-clean of the site. It is believed workers are back on site today.
Station Commander, Group Captain Chris Layden, said: "As Station Commander, I’ve been briefed that there have been two suspected cases of Covid-19 among the Volker Fitzpatrick workforce who are delivering the essential runway works here at RAF Lossiemouth.
"The workers concerned have immediately been isolated and are undergoing further testing, in accordance with NHS Scotland recommendations.
"They were displaying no symptoms but were identified through testing which Volker Fitzpatrick has been voluntarily conducting with the consent of their workforce."
He added: "RAF Lossiemouth is continuing to deliver its vital work in the interests of national security, but we are stringently observing the necessary protocols, to protect both the military community and our wider Moray family.
"I am also assured that our partners Volker Fitzpatrick are doing the same."
Volker Fitzpatrick confirmed the results when contacted by Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, who has repeatedly raised locals' concerns of the increased Covid risk posed by temporary workers coming in and out of the area.
After meeting NHS Grampian's director of public health yesterday, Mr Lochhead clarified that the tests carried out by the company were for antibodies and indicated whether a person has had Covid-19. The tests carried out by the NHS, however, are to detect whether a person currently has Covid and are more likely to be infectious.
SNP councillor for the area Amy Taylor (Heldon & Laich) said last night: "The community has been extremely anxious about the ongoing construction work at RAF Lossiemouth due to the need for contractor employees travelling considerable distances into Moray throughout the lockdown period.
"The UK Government has persisted in pressing ahead with this work despite the heightened risk to both permanent personnel and staff at the base and to the wider Lossiemouth community of contractors travelling long distances, often from areas with much higher rates of Covid-19 than the Moray area.
"The positive tests that have come back for two contractor’s personnel are antibody tests and that may well mean that the subsequent Covid-19 tests come back OK – but it highlights the concerns of the community and the need for the MoD to take heed and take action.
"They need to provide reassurance to their own employees on the base, the local civilians working there, and the people of Lossiemouth.
"The shared living arrangements for contractors is a particular concern for the community and needs to be much better dealt with by the MoD."
