The Government has set aside $710 million under the Anti-epidemic Fund to implement targeted measures to support the construction industry in combating the effects of COVID-19, reducing the risk of viral infection and spread among site workers, and preventing outbreaks of the disease on construction sites that would lead to mass suspension of work among construction workers.
These measures include a subsidy of $50,000 each to about 7 000 eligible contractors, subcontractors and consultants, as well as a subsidy of $1,500 each to about 240 000 in-service construction workers, who need to work in a labour-intensive environment on construction sites, to help cover the extra expenses for procuring anti-epidemic equipment.
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said today (March 19) that as of yesterday (March 18), about 4 000 companies and 200 000 construction workers had applied for the subsidies, of which over 2 200 companies and about 156 000 construction workers received the subsidies. The total amount disbursed exceeded $340 million.
"Shortly after the approval of the Anti-epidemic Fund by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on February 21, application for the subsidy by the industry through the Construction Industry Council (CIC) commenced on February 24. We would like to thank the CIC for its assistance in launching the dedicated website and mobile app within a short time to facilitate easy application," the spokesman said.
Eligible companies or workers who have not yet submitted their applications may visit the CIC's dedicated website for details (www.cic.hk/eng/main/anti_epidemic_fund/). The deadline for application is August 31.
For more details, please call the CIC hotline at 3199 7377 or email PPEFund@cic.hk.
Ends/Thursday, March 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:23
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