We needed 3
Oil firm bosses defend decision to fly in experts from South America
A COMPANY has defended its decision to fly three workers in to Scotland from Brazil, despite fears about a new Covid variant.
They all tested positive for coronavirus after jetting in to Aberdeen Airport.
Yesterday, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed 34 people were on the flight, with three Scots infected with the new Brazilian variant remain “unaccounted for”.
So far, 56 of the 90 close contacts on the flight have been traced.
Oil services firm Bureau Veritas confirmed its staff were involved yesterday – but said it needed their expertise for “critical” work.
The testing and inspection firm, based in France, has been accused of putting money before workers’ health.
Paul Shrieve, president of Bureau Veritas Solutions for marine and offshore, said: “The employees – all highly qualified experts in marine and naval technology – were required to carry out critical work on an offshore facility to ensure it could continue to operate safely.
“As a global leader in health and safety that has been working with organisations throughout the pandemic to implement Covid-secure measures, we lead by example in protecting our employees.”
At the start of last month, three Bureau Veritas employees tested positive for the new strain after flying in to Aberdeen, with two later requiring hospital treatment.
They had travelled from Brazil – via London and Paris – where the variant, which is believed to be much more contagious, was first detected in January. Shrieve said the employees tested positive on February 5. The group had been working in Brazil between December 23 and January 29 and are now Covid-free.
He added: “In this case, at every stage of the journey, the party acted in accordance with national and international guidelines, as well as Bureau Veritas company guidelines, and completed mandatory isolation and testing prior to boarding the plane.
“All three employees are now Covid-free and we are very pleased they are recovering and back with their families.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: “Tracing contacts of contacts is not usual practice but is taking place for these cases as an
additional precaution.
“We would again stress that the overwhelming majority of people living and working in Grampian will be unaffected by these cases.
“However Covid19, regardless of variant, spreads in the same way. Sticking to the current restrictions and following Facts will help limit the spread.”
Brazilian health officials have called for nationwide lockdowns and a curfew, as
‘cRiTical woRK’
hospitals are running short of intensive care beds.
More than 1000 people are dying every day from the new strain, first found in Manaus.
Health experts fear the Brazilian mutation of corona is easier to catch and may be more resistant to vaccines.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government yesterday said there is “nothing to suggest” the new strain has escaped into local communities.
Freeman revealed 249 people have been traced as close contacts of the trio.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith added: “There is nothing to suggest this has resulted in any escape of this variant into local communities.”
Experts are also researching two strains found in the UK and in South Africa.
It comes as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced Scotland may be able to exit lockdown earlier than previously planned as the number of coronavirus cases continues to tumble.
In an upbeat assessment of the long-running battle against Covid, she told MSPs yesterday: “I have always said if we can go further and faster, then we will not hesitate to do so.”
Employees were required to carry out critical work PAUL SHRIEVE ON THE WORKERS FROM BRAZIL
Sturgeon said there was “good evidence” the national vaccination programme was already reducing the number of deaths from the virus across the country.
And the SNP leader revealed the average number of Covid cases being reported each day in Scotland had dropped to 657 – the lowest rate since October.
It means all primary school pupils will be able to return to class as of March 15 – with high schools reopening full-time after the Easter break.