Only critical construction work allowed

PETALING JAYA: Construction will not be allowed, with a few exceptions, when the total lockdown starts tomorrow, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Fadillah, who is also Senior Minister, said exceptions were given to sectors deemed as “critical services”.

These were necessary construction activities which would otherwise pose a hazard or inconvenience to workers, public and the environment, he said in a statement.

Fadillah noted construction work deemed as “critical services”, such as the maintenance and repair of slopes, roads, bridges, and traffic lights, as well as traffic management control (TMC), would be allowed to operate.

This includes periodic inspection and maintenance of lifts, travelators and escalators.

Others allowed to operate were those performing pest control at construction sites, such as the spraying of pesticides to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

Railway track maintenance and repairs on the MRT, LRT, commuter, single/double track and rail projects, will also be allowed, along with contractors performing repairs at residential homes.

Fadillah explained that construction work involving public infrastructures that were deemed critical were tunnels, slopes, bridges and viaducts, highways (those 80% completed and above), MRT, LRT, ECRL, commuters, the construction of hospitals (those 80% completed) and the construction of complete workers residents at construction sites.

He said critical sectors allowed to operate must get new approval letters through the CIMS CIDB system at the cims.cidb,gov.my website as approval letters used before this would not be applicable during this period.

Fadillah said approval letters generated from the CIMS CIDB system must be displayed at the premises or construction site.

“It can also be used as an approval for travel by everyone involved in the said project.”

Fadillah said operating hours would be as usual but workers capacity will be at 60%.

He also said every employee regardless of their nationality must be screened for Covid-19 before commencing any work.,

He reminded contractors to appoint safety and health officers at construction sites, who would be in charge of monitoring standard operating procedure compliance.

“To ensure that Covid-19 doesn’t spread from construction sites to the local community, restrictions on travelling in and out of construction sites and workers quarters must be stepped up,” he said.

At the same time, Fadillah said contractors must provide transportation for workers and ensure that their employees were restricted between the sites and worker quarters.

“Contractors must also ensure daily needs such as food and personal hygiene are provided to workers,” he added.