Starting from 16 August, individuals in the construction sector who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to wear a “unique visual identifier” at all time when they are at the worksite, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
In a circular released on Thursday (5 August), BCA added that those whose vaccination has not taken effect are also mandated to wear a unique visual identifier.
It noted that Safe Management Officer (SMO) or Safe Distancing Officer (SDO) are responsible to monitor vaccination status of a person before being permitted to enter into a worksite, as well as closely supervise unvaccinated persons at all times when they are at the worksite to ensure they comply with safe management measures.
These are the new added measures implemented to make sure the construction sector remain COVID-safe as Singapore has moved back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) due to high number of community cases.
“During this period of heightened alert, BCA seeks the cooperation of the industry to ensure strict compliance with safe management measures and keep tighter controls at worksites to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmissions and resurgence of COVID-19 cases, which can disrupt work progress. Let us keep our worksites safe together,” it noted.
Last month (1 July), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in an interview with The Straits Times’ senior health correspondent Salma Khalik that the perks given to COVID-19 vaccinated individuals, such as being exempt from pre-even testing for certain events, are not meant to be discriminatory.
He explained that the differentiation between the vaccinated and unvaccinated is needed from a public health standpoint as Singapore gradually moves into creating a sense of normality with endemic COVID-19 as an end goal.
He added that the authorities view this differentiation in terms of risk, whether a person has a higher or lower risk of getting infected and passing on the virus.
Other measures in place at worksites
In the circular, BCA has called the construction industry to remain vigilant as there have been new cases of COVID-19 involving workers from the industry.
“BCA urges the industry to be on high alert and be extra vigilant to minimise the potential risk of COVID-19 spread at construction worksites.
“Permitted enterprises (i.e. companies that have been approved to resume work) should implement and ensure that safe management measures are complied with to prevent potential disruptions to works or even an industry-wide shutdown, should the situation worsen,” it said.
Additionally, there are also other requirements in place at worksites currently to ensure there isn’t spread of COVID-19 in the industry.
Some of safe management measures include disallowing those who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms to enter worksite, individuals must have tested negative on PCR swab test within 14 days prior entry to worksite, and only approved workers by BCA to work can be at worksites.
Besides that, all personnel must wear mask at all times, visitors and roving sub-contractors must wear unique visual identifier while they are at the worksite and are only permitted to work in their designated zones.
