As construction activities re-opened in June, contractors are still facing delays in project completion due to various reasons. This includes the strict implementation of health care protocols and safety measures on workers brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though private residential buyers are hoping to move into their new homes soon, they might need to wait a little longer. The builders are still in the process of trying to restart work on construction.

More than 900 residential projects out of 2,500 construction projects have had authorization by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to resume work.

According to Ng Yek Meng, the president of The Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) said that about 10% of the construction work manpower will be resuming as the pandemic issue still remains as a challenge.

Mr. Ng said a six to 9-month delay on project timelines is expected as there will only be a little manpower onsite even if a lot has been cleared from the virus to resume work in his weekend interview with Channelnewsasia.

The span of delay will depend on the status of construction of the project before the pandemic circuit-breaker is launched,” elaborated Mr. Ng to The Business Times. Projects that are waiting for TOP and are at the tail-end are less likely to be affected, he added. The Singapore Circuit breaker began on April 7 and ends on June 1.

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A temporary occupation permit (TOP) has been issued by the BCA on building work completion and handling the project back to its respective developers. But to have the keys given to the buyers of the specific units, they need to wait for the vacant possession date which usually takes place several months after the TOP issuance.

A spokeswoman for Frasers Property mentioned that they will give updates on their development to its customers. The schedule of construction for their projects is under review.

Seaside Residences located at Siglap have a TOP set on 2020 second half. This 841-condo unit construction has updates posted on their website mentioning works in progress including drains, roads, and car parks. Since June, the property has sold a total of 796 units, leaving only 45 units unsold.

The spokeswoman also said that the safety of their workers and employees at the site and out on the community is their absolute priority as the Covid-19 situation is still uncertain. Appropriate clearances are soon to be released for their waiting workers so that they can resume their work. In the meantime, necessary preparations for the workers’ safe return to the site are being ensured, including implementation of safety and health measures such as split team arrangements, staggered shifts, cleanliness of the workplace, and constant reminder of good personal hygiene observation. Personal protective equipment or PPEs are provided to the workers as well as health checks on a regular basis.

Forest Woods, a 519-unit development by a joint venture from City Developments Ltd, has its indicative TOP set for the fourth quarter of 2020. The vacant possession date will be on the 10th of May 2021. Only two units remain unsold in this amazing development in Upper Serangoon.

The CDL’s spokeswoman said that they will continue to keep homebuyers with the latest updates on the status of the projects. They are closely monitoring the situation to secure the well-being, health, and safety of the workers as well as the community. Though the Covi-19 situation evolves continuously, it remains smooth when it comes to the work process.

There were eight projects in various construction stages under CDL which has an indicative TOP ranging from the fourth quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2023.

HDB also had several BTO projects that may be delayed for up to nine months, according to their statement. Some projects have a few blocks which can cause delays of up to nine months, but for most projects, it is still up to six months.

These delays are due to different reasons including manpower availability, supply disruption of overseas materials and precast components, and contractors’ availability to meet the prerequisites for work to restart set by authorities according to HDB’s statement.