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04

Mar
2021
[Updated] COVID-19 Testing at Construction Sites
Local, Announcement

The HKIA, in conjunction with the HKIE and the ACEHK, held a communication meeting with the DEVB and the CIC on 3 March 2021, regarding the implementation of “Regular Testing Measures at Construction Sites” which require all site staff to present negative COVID-19 test results conducted within the past 14 days when entering construction sites for work.

At the meeting, the following suggestions were made to the DEVB and the CIC:

  • It is unambiguous that consultants not working full-time on-site are considered as visitors and it is not the intention for them to carry out compulsory testing before entering the sites.  The CIC would communicate and clarify with the HKCA on this point.
  • There are confusions whether resident site supervision staff (RSS) by consultants, who are required for compulsory testing since working full-time on-site, are covered by Construction Industry COVID-19 Testing Service Scheme(CITS).  Since professionals and consultants are important stakeholders of the CIC, the HKIA appealed that to facilitate the testing of RSS, they should be covered in the scheme as well.
  • Given the possible long-term financial burdens to both consultants and contractors, the DEVB should consider issuing standard guidelines as to how to handle different contractual and financial aspects and implications of government construction contracts in relation to COVID-19.