It has also lifted a rule requiring employers to re-house workers if they are originally living in more than 10 different addresses. The rule was aimed at reducing the risk of infection when workers from different dorms interacted on work sites, and at minimising the number of dorms affected if a COVID-19 case surfaced.
With almost all dormitories cleared, the rule has been lifted to facilitate a faster construction restart, although BCA approval advises employers to continue reducing the number of accommodations for their workers. During this time, employers should work towards cohorting their foreign workers together in their accommodation, minimally by employer.
Employers are to continue to work closely with accommodation operators to ensure safe living measures are practised at the workers’ accommodation premises, and provide dedicated transport for their foreign workers to go to work, as stated under the COVID-Safe Restart Criteria. Contractors should take into account the larger number of workers on-site and enforce strict zoning of their workforce, and ensure that workers residing in different accommodation or performing different activities do not intermingle on site. BCA approval will closely monitor the situation, including stepping up audits and inspections at worksites.