The constructions sector in the coronavirus era

The coronavirus has left nothing unaffected with the constructions sector currently being tested as well. At the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, there strict hygiene and safety measures are applied with plans for further tightening.

Companies like ERGOSE or Attiko Metro are currently operating with strict measures too, but there with suggestions for their specialization, that could be taken immediately.

According to information by Attiko Metro, Metro projects are currently underway in Athens and Thessaloniki, as the construction crews are not numerous at the moment and there is no overcrowding. However Ministry sources say that there might be an intervention for the workers’ safety.

At the same time, the real estate market seems to be on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. This development comes after an exceptionally good season that finally showed that the building construction was making a comeback.

According to provisional data, regarding December 2019 the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) reported 1,791 building permits for the whole country, corresponding to 417.3 thousand sq.m. of surface and 1.700.6 thousand cub.m. of volume, increasing by 51  % in the number of building permits, compared to the same month in 2018.

That same image was maintained in the first two months of 2020, but starting in March, the virus outbreak in our country is expected to affect the statistics negatively.

The next period will be crucial

The next period will probably be the most crucial in terms of what will actually happen in the field of constructions, large and small projects as well as the building activity.

Depending on the decisions to be made, project deliveries of scheduled projects may be postponed. For example, while TRAINOSE, is constantly cutting down routes due to coronavirus, it will be extremely difficult to see the commercial operation of Kiato-Aegion railway section. And this is not so much about the feasibility of the completion, but about the psychology between passengers.

Now, we are looking forward to the delivery of the 3 Metro stations for the extension of Athens Metro Line 3. If a decision is made for the pause of the works, automatically the date of operation will be postponed. Under any circumstances, it goes without saying, that the health of the workers is paramount, so any measures that will precisely safeguard the human resources of construction are welcome.