The Scottish construction sector could return to work from May 28th in plans outlined by the Scottish government.

The government said it is planning for outdoor workplaces to restart as part of the first phase out of lockdown, with physical distancing measures put in place with staggered start times and flexible working encouraged.

The construction sector will be instructed to implement the first two phases in its restart plan with a decision to move to ‘phase 2’ of the construction sector’s plan only after consulting with government to ensure it is safe to do so in line with public health advice.

The industry-agreed six-step phased model for the return of the construction sector is as follows:

• Phase 0: Planning
• Phase 1: Covid-19 Pre-start Site prep
• Phase 2: ‘Soft start’ to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
• Phase 3: Steady state operation (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
• Phase 4: Steady state operation (where physical distancing can be maintained and/or with PPE use)
• Phase 5: Increasing density/productivity with experience

‘The construction industry will be able to carefully implement steps one and two of its six-step restart plan, which it has developed with us. However, let me be clear, that there must be a genuine partnership with trade unions – this can only be done, if it is done safely‘ – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon