Starting from June 15, new residential renovation projects, and suspended renovation works for non-residential premises are allowed to submit their applications to resume work, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) stated in a press release.

BCA added that the submission of an application should be done by companies if they employ Construction Work Permit and S Pass Holders, and if the workers are not listed in earlier approved applications for restarting suspended residential renovation projects.

In addition, the resumption of renovation works will also be dependent on the company's available manpower and supplies.

How many renovation projects have been allowed to start so far?

With regard to the number of suspended residential renovation projects that had been allowed to resume work so far, BCA stated that this currently stood at over 19,000.

Meanwhile, more than 300 construction projects have also been approved to resume work.

BCA is also working on another 250 construction projects with construction firms, so as to help these projects resume work in accordance with Covid-Safe Restart requirements and prevent another outbreak among construction workers.

Companies must adhere to safety measures for Covid-19

BCA added that companies overseeing such projects must adhere to safety requirements under the Covid-Safe Workforce, Covid-Safe Worker Accommodation and Transport rules, and the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Safe Management Measures at workplaces.

The organisation has also worked with various trade associations and chambers to develop safe restart guidelines.

Here, the press release highlighted that the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) had developed a template in providing safe onsite accommodation at new construction temporary quarters, while the Micro Builders Association of Singapore (MBAS) has also developed a set of guidelines for Covid-related worksite practices at landed housing projects.

As such, one major outcome of these efforts is a self-check tool which enables companies to check if they are ready for starting projects, in accordance with the various criteria.

Workers living in HDBs and private residences can start work immediately with BCA's approval

Once BCA's approval for a project is received, workers who live in HDBs and private residences are allowed to start work immediately.

Should the worker be residing in a dormitory however, whether they are purpose-built dormitories, factory-converted dormitories, or construction temporary quarters, they will only be able to work once their dormitory has been cleared.

All construction workers who are Work Permit or S Pass holders will be subjected to regular COVID-19 testing after they start work, with BCA assisting companies in scheduling these tests.

Top image by Charles Deluvio via Unsplash