COVID hit really hard. For many months, we didn't have a full operating workforce. When we did, we had really strict restrictions. Nova Scotia took a leadership position in the way they operated in the COVID pandemic. Many different things were put in place.
We had zones in the shipyard such that if you were working in one area, you couldn't travel to another area to get anything, so you had to wait on what we called a “runner” to go and get that material for you. We weren't able to work in as many groups. There were things like having to wear masks, social distancing, and trying to lift up a large piece of steel and put it in place by yourself when you were normally used to having an extra set of hands.
In August on those ships—I'm not sure if any of you have been in them, especially with full PPE and tools—it is very hot with a mask on. Our safety department was always preaching about micro-breaks and being sure to hydrate and to not get overheated. It just added to prolonging items. It definitely took a long time to adjust to living with COVID.