House builders across the north and north-east have announced they are shutting construction sites while criticising conflicting government advice.
Springfield Properties still had some projects underway in Moray yesterday morning before announcing the shutdown.
Meanwhile, Stewart Milne has confirmed it will follow as soon as possible once work is undertaken to ensure sites are safe and secure.
UK cabinet office minister Michael Gove said construction workers could continue to go to work yesterday despite First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying on Monday that building sites should close.
The Scottish Building Federation has called for clarity as a “matter of urgency” so the industry can respond collectively.
Springfield chief executive Innes Smith said: “The safety of our communities, customers, staff and sub-contractors is our primary concern.
“We will do all that we can collectively to contain this outbreak and save lives.”
And Stuart MacGregor, chief executive of Stewart Milne Group, praised staff for “herculean efforts” to ensure work complied with government guidance.
He said: “We are wholly focused on doing everything we can to shut-down all our sites safely and securely, as quickly as we can.”
Barratt Developments has confirmed it is in the process of temporarily closing all its sites and offices.
However, Balfour Beatty, which is currently building new schools in Elgin and Lossiemouth, says its construction work will continue with enhanced rules to follow public health guidance.
Vaughan Hart, managing director of the Scottish Building Federation, said conflicting information from UK and Scottish government was “unhelpful”.
He said: “There will be a need for some staff in some circumstances to be on site to ensure they are kept safe but we need to know exactly what is expected of us in other instances so we can play our part in reducing the impact of Covid-19 on our team and wider Scottish society.”
