Rotational workers at two Alberta oil sands sites are being asked to self-isolate due to recent COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says they include Syncrude’s Mildred Lake oil sands site, and Suncor’s Base Plant, both near Fort McMurray.

She’s asking workers returning to the province from either site to self-isolate away from their household contacts on their arrival and to call 811 for further direction.

There were a few glitches yesterday, the first day that rotational workers were eligible for testing. Calls from 811 appeared as if they were originating from Russia. Health Minister John Haggie says it was a software issue. The Eastern Health central booking line was also experiencing some issues, but that is being remedied.

He says there were challenges around staffing, but they are now staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and he expects the situation to improve over the next few days.