Cautionary note sounded over Ross hotels opening for 'essential workers' amid Covid-19 lockdown
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HOTELS opening up in Ross-shire to support essential key workers in the oil and gas industry have been broadly supported by local councillors.
After a number of complaints were made about hotels in Tain, Invergordon and Alness reopening for essential workers in the oil and gas industry during the coronavirus restrictions, councillors said some understanding must be given to the country getting back to work in a managed way.
The Journal were approached by a number of fearful local residents who raised concerns that hotels re-opening would be a greater coronavirus risk in the area.
One person, who did not want to be named, said: "Several hotels have opened recently for business.
"They appear to have workers who have arrived to work at the Nigg Oil Yard.
"This blatantly flouts our guidelines and rules set out by the Scottish Government. This is surely inviting Covid-19 into our community, via them themselves or the steps the hotels have to take to look after them."
However, Easter Ross councillor Alasdair Rhind, asked people to show caution before blasting businesses online for reopening. He said: "What we have already seen are two hotels closing down due to the effect of the coronavirus restrictions.
"The people coming to the area and staying in these hotels are essential workers who are coming into the area for essential work, and they have to stay somewhere in the area.
"Strict measures are in place for workers, and for the hotels they are staying in. They are returning after advice from agencies including the Scottish Government.
"People are very quick to complain about things on Facebook. But I would encourage people to look at the facts and reasons of what people are doing."
Councillor Derek Louden sounded a more cautionary tone. He said: "I understand that people are returning to the area to work, and while I have not doubt they are doing a job that is classed as essential, there are some concerns in the community.
"These people could be working on essential health and safety jobs in the oil and gas industry. There are essential maintenance jobs that happen in the area, and those key jobs need to continue during the coronavirus restrictions."
He continued: "I personally do not have information about where people are coming from. There have been some concerns raised about people coming from overseas to work in the area. I would like to hear more from business and government about the measures they have put in place to consider being able to test, trace and isolate anyone who brings the virus to the area."
