Corona's Toll on the Construction Industry

A Global Pandemic 

"Across the world there have been more than 162,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 6,300 deaths." - Department of Health.

Microscopic illustration of the spreading 2019 corona virus that was discovered in Wuhan, China. The image is an artisic but scientific interpretation, with all relevant surface details of this particular virus in place, including Spike Glycoproteins, Hemagglutinin-esterase, E- and M-Proteins and Envelope.

A health alert from the World Health Organisation has announced that Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Reported cases in Australia are at approximately 360 with a total of 5 deaths. Although initial numbers steadily increased, it has taken only four days for case total to double. 

ABC News

What COVID-19 Means for the Construction Industry

A large portion of the construction industry relies on trade from China. In the wake of Coronavirus, the products such as joinery, facade materials, and structural steel are becoming harder to attain due to the shutting factories in China. The lack in supply of material is beginning to take a toll on the building supply chain resulting in a trade collapse. Many workers are concerned for their jobs in such an unstable economic climate, especially with high potential of a recession on our hands. 

Getty Images - A worker disinfecting machines before workers return from their holidays in China's eastern Jiangsu province

The Government has responded to the COVID-19's economic threat by introducing a $17.6 billion economic stimulus package aimed "to encourage investment and to keep people in jobs." (Australian Government)

In the meantime...

We can all take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. The Department of Health encourages everyone to practice good hygiene as follows;

• covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• disposing of tissues properly
• washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• if you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people

For more info on COVID-19 click here.

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