Construction firms cite practicality, cost concerns in criteria for restarting work

The new social distancing measures will also take time to implement and ingrain

Sharon See

Published Fri, May 15, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

COMPANIES in the construction industry are concerned about higher costs and practicality of implementing new workflows and tightened measures at worksites and dormitories, even as they look forward to gradually resuming work under new criteria outlined on Friday by the Covid-19 multi-ministry taskforce.

Starting from June 2, some construction projects and suspended residential renovation works will be allowed to resume, subject to meeting certain safe-restart criteria. These include contact-tracing and regular Covid-19 testing for the workforce, as well as safe-distancing measures at worksites and dormitories.

Kurt Wee, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME), said many companies will struggle to resume work quickly, as segments of their workforce may still be in quarantine come June. The new social distancing measures will also take time to implement and ingrain, up to four to six weeks…