THE construction industry is calling for a phased re-opening of construction services, arguing it is an essential service.
The Construction COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team – a body representing major organizations in the sector including contractors, property developers, construction professionals, suppliers, and service providers – said their industry can cushion the unemployment blow that will result from the national lockdown.
John Matthews, Chairperson of the task team, acknowledged the risk of occupationally acquired infections on construction sites.
“We used this period to adapt health and safety systems to ensure that we safeguard the health of employees on construction sites. We have also identified qualifying construction sites that are ready for immediate re-activation,” he said.
Matthews said the task team had submitted a risk and mitigation plan Department of Public Works and Infrastructure that would require every company that is to be considered for re-opening to present a suitable operational plan to prevent transmission of the infection.
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The national government commenced the lockdown on 26 March for April 16 but that has been extended for a further two weeks.
Not all construction is prohibited during the lockdown as exceptions can be made for emergencies.
Patricia de Lille, Minister of Public Works, invoked the Disaster Management Act to build a 40km border fence in Limpopo separating Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The fence was part of the government’s Covid-19 strategy in mitigating the spread of the virus by closing entry points to SA.
Matthews said the halt in operations has already resulted in untold losses of many companies and some even closing down.
‘A continued lack of activity of these projects could mean we do not have any sites to return to when the lockdown is eventually lifted. Hence the call for an immediate re-activation of work on live construction sites and for the resumption of professional planning, costing and design work that supports such work’ he said.
The department of Public Works is yet to respond.
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