KUALA LUMPUR – The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has ordered 15 construction sites to close as of yesterday after failing to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the movement control order (MCO).
Senior Minister (Infrastructure) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof in a statement today said that, since the MCO was implemented on January 13, CIDB has inspected 1,022 construction sites, with 1,007 found to be adhering to the SOPs.
All 15 construction sites have been issued with notices for non-compliance in terms of workers’ accommodations, physical distancing, and the wearing of face masks.
“The majority of Covid-19 positive cases at construction sites were caused by failure to observe the stipulated SOPs and guidelines,” he said.
“Among the causes identified are that the workers’ accommodation was overcrowded, dirty, and did not comply with the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), as well as workers’ movement from one project site to another, which could possibly create a construction cluster.”
Fadillah urged contractors permitted to operate during the MCO to comply with the SOPs at construction sites and for workers’ accommodation to prevent Covid-19 transmissions.
“Stern action will be taken against any contractors who fail to comply with the directives, besides disciplinary action, which could cause their registration to be revoked or suspended,” he said.
The senior minister said that the latest SOPs are available on CIDB’s website, while further information and the Construction Industry Guidelines can be obtained from CIDB’s official Telegram channel or via the CIDB Hotline at 03-5567-3300 (8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday).
From September 20 last year until February 12 this year, 527 workplace-related clusters have been identified out of 852 clusters reported in the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia. – Bernama, February 15, 2021
