COVID-19: Stay-Home Notice for construction sector workers and dependents extended to 18 May
SINGAPORE — The stay-home notice (SHN) for work permits and S Pass holders in the construction sector and their dependents has been extended by two weeks to 18 May 2359hours.
The announcement, made in a joint statement by the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Health, and the Building and Construction Authority on Friday (1 May), is aimed at curbing the further spread of COVID-19 at construction worksites.
The original SHN was originally slated to be in effect until 4 May.
The statement noted that the number of infected construction work pass holders living in non-purpose-built dormitories (PBD) premises continues to rise with the prevalence noticeably higher than the general community.
“This suggests that transmission at construction worksites among such workers had occurred before the start of the SHN period. The cases that are now being observed could have been incubated earlier or may have spread among the workers’ close contacts and house-mates.”
Unlike most individuals who serve their SHN in isolation, the construction work pass holders are likely to be sharing accommodation where they have continued interactions with one another.
“We recognise the impact on affected employers and appreciate their cooperation. Their efforts will help to enable an eventual restart of the sector,” the statement said.
The vast majority of employers have looked after their workers well and they will need to continue doing so for the remaining period of the SHN, the statement said.
They should make arrangements for delivery of food or groceries and other daily essentials, ensure their workers consult a doctor immediately when unwell and where possible, isolate unwell workers as a precautionary measure, it added.
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