THE return to service dates for the reactors at Hunterston B have not changed amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Work on the Hunterston B Reactor 3 safety case continues and the latest expectation for its return to service to 1 June 2020. Reactor 4 is due to return to service on 15 June 2020.

Each station at Hunterston is reviewing shift patterns while power station tours have been suspended during the outbreak.

The visitor centre has also been closed to reduce the number of staff coming to site.

There are 520 full time EDF Energy employees plus over 250 full time contract partners and EDF Energy have encouraged home working wherever possible.

An EDF spokesperson said: “We have comprehensive plans in place to maintain operations at all of our power stations.

"The steps we have taken minimise risks to employees and are specifically designed to ensure we can safely continue to carry out our work safely under different scenarios.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and following government guidance as it becomes available.

"We have asked staff to minimise face to face meetings and to consider if technology can be used to avoid unnecessary travel and contact. This will help prevent spreading any infections between sites.

"Each station is reviewing shift patterns to optimise staffing.

" As well as encouraging workers to continue practicing good personal hygiene, we have increased the frequency of cleaning at our sites.

"The return to service date for the reactors at Hunterston B have not changed. Any updates will be issued on the REMIT website.

"We will put in place any additional measures as needed.

"Specific teams are constantly reviewing the situation."

Plant Manager John Sandford said: "Work on the Hunterston B Reactor 3 safety case continues and we have revised our latest expectation for its return to service to 1 June 2020 – previously we expected it to return on 10 April.

Reactor 4 came offline in mid-December, following a four month run of safe and reliable generation. We now aim to return the unit to service on 15 June 2020 – previously we expected it to return on 24 April."

Hunterston A power station, which is currently in the process of decommissioning, has also carried out precautionary procedures in relation to Covid-19 concern.

A spokesman said: “Our priority remains keeping all of our sites safe and secure, and protecting our staff, the public and the environment.

"Across the whole of the nuclear decommissioning authority group (including Sellafield) we have five confirmed cases - out of a workforce of over 16,000.

“We have contingency plans in place to ensure that we can respond effectively to the developing situation and Government guidelines around Covid–19.”