Not in itself. Firstly, the threshold for clause 60.1(19) has to have been crossed. Then the Contractor has to demonstrate the extra cost as a result of the compensation event - not the 'event' i.e. COVID-19.
So if the Contractor would have fitted screens regardless of whether the threshold for it being a clause 60.1(19) compensation event was reached or not, then it could be argued that it is not an "effect of the compensation event" as per 63.1 in both NEC3 and 4.
Harsh, but a literal interpretation of the what the contract says.
So if the Contractor would have fitted screens regardless of whether the threshold for it being a clause 60.1(19) compensation event was reached or not, then it could be argued that it is not an "effect of the compensation event" as per 63.1 in both NEC3 and 4.
Harsh, but a literal interpretation of the what the contract says.