Project has around 2,500 workers on it

Five site workers involved in the construction of Hinkley Point C have tested positive for coronavirus since the outbreak began.

Nigel Cann, construction delivery director at the site, said the job, which is being built by French energy giant EDF, was operating at less than half the capacity of what it was at the start of the year.

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Measures put in place at the site include temperature checks for the project's 2,500 workers

Speaking about the covid-19 positives, he added: "This includes one who had not been on site for more than three weeks before feeling ill and is very unlikely to have posed a risk.

"There is no evidence of infections on site caused by the other workers. Investigations include contact tracing and tracking the health of those who are, or have been, in self-isolation."

He said the project's remaining workforce was now well adapted to social distancing.

He added: "The experience gained has helped us to make a small and safe increase in numbers to just under 2,500, still fewer than half what it was at the start of the year.

"Many people on the project are continuing to work remotely. These aren’t just admin roles. Complex technical tasks are now being successfully done at home – with quality maintained through rigorous checking and assurance."

The site’s catering supplier Somerset Larder has been providing food to NHS workers while the project had also been supporting a local care home as well as working with food poverty charity FareShare to distribute food aid across Somerset.

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