One confirmed with coronavirus at Martin Linge
One person at the Martin Linge field in the North Sea has tested positive with the new coronavirus. The person is not seriously ill, Equinor reported on 11 March. The company is in dialogue with the Norwegian health authorities about further measures. The infected person has been in isolation in his cabin since 9 March. Measures to prevent further contamination for offshore installations has been introduced. It has not been decided when the person will be brought ashore.
The person arrived at the field just before noon on 4 March. The person had recently been to Austria. When Austria was listed as a high-risk destination, the person was quarantined on board and a test was conducted.
Tests have been conducted on two additional people at the field who have also visited high-risk destinations. The results of these tests are not yet available.
Medical staff on board have followed up with all personnel, and there are no additional people with symptoms onboard.
The activity on the field will be reduced. Personnel will remain at the installations where they are already located. Equinor is evaluating further measures.
Measures to prevent further contamination is under implementation, such as:
- Reduction of social gatherings;
- Reduction of meetings;
- Introduction of larger distances between personnel in the canteen; and
- Cleaning of selected common areas.
The Martin Linge field is currently under construction and is planned to start production at the end of 2020. There are currently 776 persons offshore working on the project and spread across three installations.
