The nationwide total lockdown will see the suspension of all construction works, except for those considered critical services.
Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said maintenance and repair works are critical services, which if not allowed to continue may pose a hazard or inconvenience to the public, workers and the environment, reported Bernama.
This includes repairs and maintenance of slopes, bridges, roads and traffic light management control. Also deemed critical are periodic inspections and repairs of lifts, escalators, travelators as well as other critical mechanical and electrical equipment.
Works to clean, maintain and dry stagnant water as well as spray pesticides at construction sites to prevent Aedes mosquitos and other pests from breeding are also allowed.
Railway track maintenance and repairs, private residence repairs as well as the construction of the collapsed Bailey Bridge are considered critical construction.
Construction work involving public infrastructure such as slopes, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, highways that are at least 80% completed, LRT, MRT, ECRL, single/double track rail projects, and infrastructure associated with telecommunications, electricity, dams, drainage and sewerage, oil and gas are allowed to continue.
Also allowed to continue are construction works at hospitals that are at least 80% complete and the construction of workers’ accommodation at construction sites.
“All contractors involved with the listed projects are required to get new approval through the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) at cims.cidb.gov.my for the duration of the Movement Control Order beginning June 1,” said Fadillah as quoted by Bernama.
“For consultants and suppliers, applications for approval to operate must be done through the main contractor, who is responsible for filling in the information of all consultants and suppliers related to the project into the system.”
He explained that previous approvals would no longer be valid during the total lockdown period, while approval letter generated via the system should be displayed at construction site premises. The letter may also be used as approval for travel of those involved in the project.
He added that the usual operating hours will be observed, but the capacity of workers will be limited to 60%
Other measures put in place to restrict the movement of workers include ensuring all construction workers undergo COVID-19 screening before commencing work. The workers are also prohibited to move from one construction site to another.
“The Public Works Department urges all construction industry players to comply with the latest standard operating procedure (SOP) to curb the spread of Covid-19,” said Fadillah.
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