In a news story on more contractors worried about penalties for project delays contacting lawyers for advice published by the Business Times on 24 March 2020, TSMP Head of Construction and Engineering Derek Loh said that most construction contracts here in Singapore typically do not have specific clauses that clearly allow a contractor to seek relief.

“Practically all the standard form construction contracts in Singapore do not provide clear or express relief that is enforceable from the impact of the Covid-19-related travel bans and business disruptions in the construction industry,” said Mr Loh.

That is why the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) could only send an advisory to the participants in the construction industry, he said.

TSMP has seen more contractors’ requests for advice, he said.