In our last article we explained how the government of Pakistan would be opening construction sites in the coming days during the Covid-19 lockdown. Now the government of Pakistan has allowed the construction sector to open partially, along with the following guidelines. The guidelines are detailed and comprehensive, but we will discuss the guidelines related to the private construction sector only, as it is our domain and expertise. It is important to share that even though the government of Pakistan has resumed the construction sector, public transport is still at a halt — there is no public transport operating inter- or intra-city, so labour travelling from their respective cities will have to arrange their own transport to get to the construction sites.
Furthermore, the government has instructed that one of the phases of construction will be 100% operational — that is, the grey structure. Grey structure works/sites will be fully functional, along with the cement industry, crushing plants, sand and brick kilns. Labour will be allowed to work on grey structure sites, but with strict precautionary measures — such as labour personnel at all times wearing masks and gloves, hand sanitizers being available on site at all times, and maintaining distance between them during their lunch break and during work as well. Meanwhile, there has not been any clear policy regarding finishing of the house and its material as of today. However, the government has announced that glass manufacturers may resume their work, along with carpenters, painters, plumbers and electricians. There are many items in finishing that need to be available in the market for finishing works to fully resume without any hassle. As of today's update, the grey structure work has been fully functional and finishing work has resumed partially, but it is indeed possible that the government announces finishing to completely resume as well. We will post another article as soon as there is any update on this matter. The ordinance of the relief package will be announced in a day or two, and hopefully soon the new prices of materials will surface. As the new prices start to be implemented, hopefully we will see a reduction in construction cost as well. Once again, please don't be confused — the lockdown has not yet been lifted, and all the instructions of the lockdown must be followed. There is a complete ban on pillion riding — that means more than one person will not be allowed on a bike, and if a car is being used, even then only one person is allowed along with the driver.
DHA Lahore and Islamabad have granted permission to start construction work, along with Bahria Town Islamabad. However, Bahria Town Lahore is still under strict lockdown and will not resume any construction work until the next order is received.
We hope we have covered all the construction-related points in the Covid-19 lockdown update. Please feel free to fill us in with any details that we may have missed.