Building sites in Scotland MUST close after construction workers pictured crammed in cabin in coronavirus lockdown
NICOLA Sturgeon has demanded all building sites in Scotland close after workmen were pictured crammed into a cabin.
Photos showed construction staff huddled in the tiny room as they continued work at £70million university project in Edinburgh yesterday.
Social distancing rules urge people to stay at least two-metres apart in public during the coronavirus lockdown.
But pictures emerged yesterday of up to 30 Balfour Beatty workers packed into the cabin and and crowded together at the site of the Old Infirmary.
Only key workers who need to travel should be ignoring the "stay at home" regulations.
A source said: ";This is a Balfour Beatty daily briefing of over 20 to 30 men in the one room
"There's not a mask on any of them.
"Even the cleaner has been sent home so no-one is there at the moment to clean the toilets or canteen areas."
Gyms, cinemas, clothing shops and restaurants have all closed during the three-week coronavirus lockdown.
Scotland's First Minister Sturgeon has now urged all building sites to close unless it's essential.
She said: "Our advice right now is that we would expect construction sites to be closed unless the building that is being worked on is essential such as a hospital."
Gatherings are now limited to no more than two people with police given the ability to impose fines on those not following government rules.
Weddings and social gatherings have also been banned but funerals will be allowed to go ahead.
The First Minister added that it is the responsibility of employers, not employees, to confirm staff should not be going to work.
Balfour Beatty last year announced its success in landing the contract to deliver the Edinburgh Futures Institute for the University of Edinburgh.
Work started in spring last year and is due for completion in advance of the academic year in 2021.
A Balfour Beatty spokesperson said: "The health, safety and wellbeing of all those who work with and for us, as well as the general public, is always our priority.
"In line with the current guidance on COVID-19 from the UK Government, our sites and contracts will remain operational where we are able to appropriately implement the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)."
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