A DISUSED military aircraft hangar is to be used as a temporary mortuary under newly agreed plans to cope with the coronavirus.
Moray Council asked the Ministry of Defence (MoD) about the possibility of repurposing a hangar at Kinloss Barracks as part of its emergency planning.
The local authority says it hopes it will not need to put the standy-by mortuary plan into action, but it is necessary to prepare for a worst-case scenario.
Jim Grant, head of economic development at Moray Council, said: “Similar to other local authorities, the council has to plan for the worst-case scenario emerging from the C-19 pandemic.
“As people are following Scottish Government advice and staying home, we hope that the extra capacity made available to us by the MoD will not be required.”
However, he went on: “It’s incumbent upon the council to ensure measures are in place to cope with whatever results from the pandemic locally.
“We would ask everyone to adhere to the Scottish Government guidance to stay at home so that the number of deaths are reduced and facilities such as this will not be needed.”
Three RAF Puma helicopters have already been stationed at Kinloss Barracks as part of co-ordinated efforts to support the NHS during the pandemic.
The aircraft have been made available to evacuate critically ill patients and move both equipment and medical personnel when necessary.
Others are on stand-by at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.
One RAF aircraft has already been used to move a patient in a critical condition from the Shetland Isles to Aberdeen for specialist treatment.
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