Advice issued for vaccine recipients from linked south isles

Folk living in South Ronaldsay and Burray with vaccination appointments in Kirkwall over the weekend are being advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

Advice issued by NHS Orkney in conjunction with Orkney Islands Council is for folk to keep an eye on weather and Churchill Barriers updates.

Latest weather forecasts suggest that conditions at the causeways could worsen at the weekend, with the possibility of the Barriers needing to close for a time.

Drifting snow in strong winds is also possible on roads across Orkney.

NHS Orkney has said it will be contacting patients aged 65-69 who live in South Ronaldsay and Burray and have vaccination appointments between 11.30am and 1.30pm on Saturday, or noon and 2pm on Sunday — the times when Barrier closures may be needed.

They are being offered earlier appointments at The Balfour on Saturday instead.

For patients from the two islands travelling at other times the advice is:

• Strong winds could cause spray and overtopping at the Barriers – and lead to drifting snow on Orkney’s roads.
• Set off earlier for your appointment, drive carefully and allow plenty of time for your journey.
• Keep up to date with advice on conditions at the Barriers using the OIC_Roads Twitter feed https://twitter.com/OIC_Roads and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s information service https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/

If you miss your appointment please don’t worry as you can phone the vaccination centre, next week, 9.30am – 4.30pm, to arrange a further appointment on 0300 303 5313.