Builders Bracing for Worst as Covid-19 Shutdown Beckons

The Kenyan construction industry is bracing for an unprecedented shutdown, with organisations scaling down operations and developers closing down sites as the coronavirus pandemic hits the world’s economy.

The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) on Tuesday announced the closure of all its offices effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, with only a few workers operating from home to provide essential services.

The ISK said the move was necessary to keep members from congregating, which would violate the guidelines by health officials to practice social distancing and avoid large groups.

“Members are encouraged to continue embracing digital platforms as a channel of communication,” ISK chief executive Rose Mwaura said in a statement.

The closure came just a week after the institute postponed all of its upcoming events, including the 51st AGM, branch AGMs, Chapter meetings, as well as elections and seminars.

At the Architectural Association of Kenya, which will hold its AGM virtually on Thursday, members of staff are working from home – with the office opening only twice a week.

“Our offices will open every Monday and Thursday from 10 am-1 pm to provide services such as document sales,” AAK said in a statement on Monday.

On its part, the National Construction Authority (NCA) says it will be offering services to members of the public through its online platforms until further notice. It has also suspended all scheduled construction workers’ training programs indefinitely.

RELATED: Covid-19 Lockdown Hits Kenya’s Construction Industry

NCA has also urged contractors to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, which include the provision of water, soap, and hand sanitizers to all workers and site visitors.

“(Ensure) that, where possible, workers maintain a reasonable distance from each other. This can be done through working in shifts or rearranging the work schedule to accommodate social distancing,” NCA said.

Construction firms, however, do not have the luxury of having workers operate from home. As such, the companies are taking unprecedented measures to ensure the safety of workers.

These measures include the provision of face masks; special gowns, and eye shields, as well as reorganizing entire construction sites to ensure workers do not congregate together.

The Kenya Property Developers Association has urged its members to provide support and care to their workers in light of the unfolding crisis posed by the virus outbreak.

“Construction sites must operate within the government’s guidelines for as long as is safely possible to enable our employees to have income for their daily needs,” KPDA chairman Palkesh Shah said, urging members to follow all rules as they emerge.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe announced that positive COVID-19 cases in Kenya had risen to 25, with test results expected from more suspected cases.

Over 423,620 people in 194 nations have since January tested positive for the coronavirus, with the death toll globally exceeding 18,900, according to the World Health Organization.

Join 15,000+ pros getting our weekly digest of news and insights.