JOHOR BARU: The number of construction sites slapped with stop-work orders since June 1 for not adhering to the standard operating procedures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has increased to 171, says the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

       It added that 28 sites have since been allowed to reopen after implementing the SOP.

       Of the 171 sites ordered closed, CIDB said Sarawak recorded the most with 53 sites, followed by Selangor (34), Melaka (12), Sabah (11), Penang (10), Johor (nine), Kuala Lumpur (eight), Perak (seven), Negri Sembilan (seven), Terengganu (six), Pahang (six), Kedah (three), Perlis (three) and Kelantan (two).

       The sites that were allowed to reopen were in Melaka (seven), Sarawak (seven), Selangor (six), Terengganu (four), Johor (two), Kuala Lumpur (one) and Kedah (one).

       CIDB also said it had carried out checks on 3,249 construction sites nationwide since the start of the current lockdown, adding that 2,629 were not operational.

       Last Tuesday, the board shut down 150 construction sites nationwide for failing to observe the SOP on Covid-19.

       Meanwhile, CIDB said two construction sites in Kuala Lumpur and Seremban were ordered to cease operations immediately yesterday for not adhering to the SOP.

       “The construction site in Kuala Lumpur was found to have more than the 60% workers’ capacity and the contractor did not provide transportation for the workers.

       “As for the construction site in Seremban, the working scope at the site was found to have breached the approval given by the International Trade and Industry Ministry,” it said in a statement yesterday.

       CIDB added that the site did not obtain approval from the local council or Labour Department to build a workers’ dormitory.

       “The number of workers at the site was over the 60% capacity allowed while its dormitory is not registered with the MySejahtera app,” it said.