Covid-19 pandemic: the insight of standard operating procedure (SOP) implementation for construction activities / Matilda Nuai Perang

During pandemic, certain legal authorities, policies and regulations may apply and serve as the foundation for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to respond (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). On 30th January 2020, the World Health Organization proclaimed the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of worldwide concern, and on 11th March 2020, it was declared a pandemic (WHO, 2020). Due to the global rapid escalation of COVID-19 and a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the Malaysian Prime Minister issued a Restriction of Movement Order. In accordance to the spreading of COVID-19 pandemic, CIDB and MLGH Sarawak has issued standard operating procedure (SOP) especially for construction industry. The spread of COVID-19 around the world will impact significantly on construction activities in the form of delay and disruption to on-site activities and project supply chains. The aim of this research is to study on the SOP implementation for construction activities during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. The study is only during MCO 1.0 (18th March 2020 - 3rd May 2020) and MCO 2.0 (13th January 2021 - 4th March 2021). According to Centralized Information Management System at CIDB website, there are a total of 9713 contractors of all grades in Sarawak and 720 of it are G7 contractors. The scope of researcher for contractors is narrowed down to G7 contractors. The minimum sample size for this research paper is 251 contractors. 70% of the minimum sample size is expected to give their respond where 76 contractors are expected to give feedback.