Just days after a seven-month lockout ended at the Co-Op Refinery Complex, some of those who would be going back on the job will be off it again.

Brad DeLorey with the CRC says about 100 temporary layoffs will be issued in the coming weeks citing COVID-19.

In a statement, DeLorey says this is a decision that is unprecedented in our history, but these are difficult and unusual times and CRC is not immune to the challenges we face and that the pandemic has had a serious and lasting impact on the business.

DeLorey stresses the layoffs are temporary and will last for as long as the province’s state of emergency is in place, plus an additional two weeks. He adds those affected are valued employees and an integral part of the team that CRC is eager to get back.