Measures to curb virus not feasible for much of sector

摘要

The construction industry is bracing itself for the impact of coronavirus after a government warning that up to 20% of the country's workforce could be sidelined by the epidemic. Ministers admit it is possible that up to that amount could be unable to work during peak weeks. There are fears that staffing shortages could bring the sector to a halt just after it experienced its first period of growth in nearly a year. According to the latest CIPS/IHS Markit PMI, construction activity increased for the the first time since April 2019 and at the fastest pace since December 2018.