No social distancing seen at Edinburgh St James development following Covid-19 outbreak

Social distancing Covid-19 measures at the multi-million pound Edinburgh St James development appear non-existent in images which emerged of workers congregating, despite claims from contractors Laing O’Rourke that they are being enforced.

Images sent to the Evening News this morning show a lack of social distancing between workers on site

Images sent to the Evening News on Thursday morning show dozens of workers crowded together waiting to receive a coronavirus test ahead of starting work, with no social distancing in place.

The workers appear close together in groups as they wait to enter the Covid-19 test area which was introduced on site earlier this week following an outbreak of the virus 11 workers which resulted in 50 in total self-isolating.

While many workers in the images are wearing face coverings, one claimed that shopfitters in ‘groups of 20 to 30’ on site are all working together without social distancing and are not wearing masks.

Images taken on Thursday morning show workers in close contact

Previously, Laing O’Rourke has repeatedly told the Evening News: “The project has been inspected by national statutory bodies, Scottish Government and Council representatives who have confirmed the effectiveness of the measures.”

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also previously commented that representatives had visited the site and engaged with contractor to ‘ensure that effective controls are in place’.

However, construction workers have said that they are ‘scared’ to go to work due to the lack of enforcement of coronavirus measures.

It is alleged that a problem area on site is the staff canteen where many workers gather without face coverings and share appliances without them being properly sanitised after.

Laing O'Rourke have previously said that "the project has been inspected by national statutory bodies, Scottish Government and Council representatives who have confirmed the effectiveness of the measures.”

A HSE spokesperson said: “There haven’t been any new concerns raised with HSE at this site. Employees or members of the public should report health and safety concerns in the workplace to our dedicated concerns team, so they can be actioned appropriately.”

A spokesperson for Laing O’Rourke said: “We are investigating the incidents shown in these images and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety of everyone onsite.”

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