As we seem to turn a step away from the fear of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown, the real estate sector is one of the first to restart its activities. While abiding by lockdown alerts and comprehensive sanitization steps, aiming to initiate construction activities in India's tier-2 and tier-3 cities and rural areas, the Center is developing guidelines to ensure the implementation of safety measures.

Construction Sites with COVID-19 Marshal

Contractors head back to work across the country, as the lockdown to curb COVID-19 spread is gradually easing in a phased way. Construction sites are directed to resume activity in non-containment zones, areas which are at a safe distance from the spread of the virus' hotspots. Following government standards, each construction site must have a COVID Marshal or nodal officers to ensure that the required health and hygiene measures are followed properly. 

Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Guidelines

• The marshal is also responsible for ensuring that sufficient supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) are made available in labor camps. 
• It is confirmed that the laborers will be provided with PPEs according to their work requirements. Face masks, tissues, goggles, and gloves will be given to all laborers. 
• Coveralls would be given to those responsible for sanitation and cleaning. 
• The soap and sanitizer dispensers would be positioned at the main construction site's entry and exit points. 
• Tobacco products continue to be banned from use. Every site will have a doctor visiting every week.

Sites will provide an isolation facility for laborers who have a cough, cold or other symptoms. It will become mandatory for every laborer, even symptomless workers, to remain quarantined for a fortnight and undergo a health check-up before beginning work at the construction site. They would not be allowed to leave the labor camp after the quarantine period ends. An undertaking would also be reportedly taken from every laborer if they had been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person and other health-related details. All construction material entering the site would be left undisturbed for three days as it is common knowledge that coronavirus can stay active on any surface for two-three days.

The announced center guidelines are expected to offer some relief to stalled construction activities. This will also help in engaging and holding the migrant workers back at the project sites and avoid any strain further on the human-economic crisis caused by the Covid19. 

By: Shailaja K