Non-essential construction work banned in MCO states

 

The works ministry has published a list of guidelines for the construction industry in states under MCO restrictions.

KUALA LUMPUR: All construction work must be stopped in states where full restrictions under the movement control order are involved, according to a list of guidelines by the works ministry.

It said there would be exemptions from the ban for work on essential services including maintenance and critical repairs such as slope and road repairs; construction of major public infrastructure as well as building construction for projects that provide complete accommodation for workers on construction sites or Centralised Labour Quarters.

In addition, there will be exemptions for the operation of professional services or consultants as well as other services within the supply chain such as supply of building materials and delivery of materials, limited to construction sites approved for operation.

Employers must also stick to the operating hours set by local authorities.

According to a FAQ published by the ministry, all operating permits must be obtained from the international trade and industry ministry (Miti).

Construction workers are not allowed to move from one construction site to another; they must also carry a valid employee pass or employer’s authorisation letter and Miti operation approval letter for any movement.

According to the FAQ, the project’s supervising officer is responsible for ensuring full compliance with standard operating procedures as well as controlling movements in and out of the construction site during the MCO period.

The ministry also said that Covid-19 screening is mandatory for all foreign workers as they have to undergo the Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK-Ag) tests even if they have done the Polymerase Chain Reaction screening tests.

However, the frequency of the RTK-Ag screening test has not been set.

“For Socso contributors, employers only need to fund the cost of services charged by the clinic because the RTK-Ag test kit has been supplied by Socso to the panel clinic,” according to the FAQ.

For foreign workers who are not Socso contributors, the screening cost must be fully borne by the employer. - FMT