Vaccination appointments – weather advice

People in South Ronaldsay and Burray with vaccination appointments in Kirkwall over the weekend are being advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys - and 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 will be contacting patients aged 65-69 who live in South Ronaldsay and Burray and have vaccination appointments between 11:30 and 13:30 on Saturday, or 12:00 (noon) and 14:00 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 over-topping 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 9:30 to 16:30 to arrange a further appointment. The number to phone is 0300 303 5313.