Drop in cases of suspected Covid-19 in offshore staff

Suspected coronavirus cases across the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry have fallen, according to new passenger movement figures.

The fall in potential cases is welcomed, but more testing of offshore workers is urged. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

Step Change in Safety and OGUK have compiled data tracking the numbers of workers travelling back from offshore, with four different categories of transport depending on their health status.

The latest dataset shows the number of workers displaying what could be Covid-19 symptoms has fallen to eight in the week starting 4 May from 19 in the week starting 3 March.

OGUK health, safety and environment director Trevor Stapleton said: “This apparent reduction is a small move in the right direction, but we can’t stress enough the need to remain alert, to continue to follow protocols and to raise any concerns in both on and offshore working environments.

“OGUK continues to work on a cross industry basis through our Pandemic Steering Group, where our focus remains on increasing testing capacity for our key workers and improving our understanding of how Covid-19 is impacting our sector as we look towards ensuring our industry is able to recover from the significant challenges we are currently faced with.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director