HINKLEY C announced today (Tuesday, March 24) it will reduce the number of workers on site by around 2,000 due to the coronavirus, however construction work will continue on the new nuclear power station in Somerset.

In a statement released this afternoon EDF said Hinkley C is taking additional steps in response to the pandemic to stop the spread of infection.

The number of workers on site will be significantly reduced, falling by more than half to around 2,000 in the coming days and further as work already in progress is completed.

An EDF spokesman said: "The project will preserve the UK’s specialist nuclear supply chain and its skilled workers by focusing on critical work on nuclear parts of the project. 

"Keeping this capability intact is essential for a project of critical national importance and an industry which plays a key role in helping the UK reach net zero.

"We will work in a focused and limited way with split shifts, extra buses and staggered breaks.

"Reduced numbers will allow easier social distancing in operational areas and sites such as canteens.

"Steps already in place include: shutting our Bristol head office,  working from home for those that can, temperature checks on people entering the site, extra cleaning, changes in movement patterns, closure of bars and gyms.

"We will consider how our resources can be used to help the community in the current crisis.

"We will continue to work with the trade unions and our supply chain to keep people safe and help them deal with the developing situation."