More than 80 flown off gas field after Covid outbreak

More than 80 people have been flown ashore from a North Sea gas field after a coronavirus outbreak on a platform.

STV News understands 15 workers tested positive on a floating hotel next to the Shearwater platform.

A further 70 people were identified as close contacts and have been evacuated from the installation which is around 200km east of Aberdeen.

Shell, which operates the platform, said production is unaffected and that “appropriate precautions” were being taken.

More than 60 offshore workers were removed from the hotel platform after four tested positive for coronavirus in April.

A Shell spokesperson said: “Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our people and contractors, and safe operations across all our activities.

“We are taking all appropriate precautions, in line with our procedures and national protocols related to coronavirus.”

Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country