First Minister pressed on further quarantine exemptions for offshore workers
North East MSP Liam Kerr asked Nicola Sturgeon if changes can be made to rules for people living in Scotland when they return from working abroad.
North-east MSP Liam Kerr has pressed Nicola Sturgeon to exempt offshore workers from having to quarantine in hotels when they return from overseas jobs.
At First Minister’s Questions, Mr Kerr called on the SNP Government to add oil and gas staff working abroad to the exemption list following mental health concerns from those in the industry.
In her reply, Ms Sturgeon said she would “consider” making the move - but noted they had to be careful not to dilute restrictions by introducing too many exemptions.
Oil workers have contacted Mr Kerr outlining concerns with some having to spend 10 out of 14 days of their field break alone in a hotel room.
At Holyrood, Mr Kerr said: “Following the announcement of the extended quarantine regulations, constituents in the oil and gas sector have raised concerns that offshore workers who support projects overseas on a 2:2 rota would have to spend 10 out of 14 days of their field break alone in a hotel room.
“Of course they understand the need to minimise the chance of new variants and the need to restrict exemptions but given the unique nature of the offshore rota, would the First Minister reviewing the list of exceptions to allow these overseas workers to self-isolate at home.”
In her reply, Ms Sturgeon said: “The short answer is yes, we will consider it but we will apply a very rigorous assessment of that.”
Later, Mr Kerr said: “The SNP Government have failed oil and gas workers in the north-east by their constant dithering on this issue.
“The industry want an answer now not later – the Scottish Government have had weeks to think about this.
“Oil and gas workers have told me they are more than willing to follow the 10-day isolation at home and get tested but under the current guidelines, face the prospect of possibly not seeing their families at all.