Covid: Workers taken off rigs after positive tests

A worker experiencing Covid symptoms on BP's Andrew platform was taken ashore where they tested positive

Workers have been removed from two North Sea oil and gas platforms after colleagues tested positive for Covid-19.

Fourteen people were taken off Shell's Nelson rig after being identified as close contacts of a positive case.

BP said one person on its Andrew platform had experienced Covid symptoms and was taken ashore where they later tested positive.

Four close contacts were identified and they have also been taken off the rig.

Shell said the Nelson platform worker had left the rig last Friday and had since tested positive.

Close contacts were taken off the installation, which is still producing, on Sunday.

Shell said it had activated its procedures for minimising the risk of further infections on the platform.

Nelson is about 124 miles (200km) north east of Aberdeen. The Andrew platform is about 140 miles (225km) north east of Aberdeen.

BP said the worker who had been showing Covid symptoms was taken to shore on Sunday.

The four close contacts isolated before being taken to shore on Monday.

BP said "well-practiced escalation procedures" were followed.