Question reference: S5W-30076
- Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 18 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 9 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to highlight the increased risks from stagnant water and Legionnaires' disease to businesses such as hotels and leisure centres that are currently closed due to COVID-19, and to inform the public of ways to minimise the risks of contracting the disease.
Answer
The Health and Safety Executive have published advice on the risk of Legionella in buildings which are closed or running with reduced occupancy during the COVID-19 crisis. This can be found on the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) website at https://rehis.com/story/legionella-risks-during-coronavirus-outbreak
Advice on mitigating the risks of legionella has not changed as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown period. The recent publication of advice is to serve as a reminder of the responsibilities of those in control of buildings which may have been out of use, to reduce the risk of a Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak.