China's construction industry to resume orderly operation

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued a circular on Feb 26, urging enterprises in the sectors of housing and infrastructure construction to resume work in an orderly manner.

The circular stressed differentiated measures for work resumption of the industry, prioritizing projects related to epidemic prevention and control, the national economy and people's livelihood and accelerating the start-up and operation of major projects.

Region-specific approaches should be adopted when advancing work resumption based on local health risks. Firms and projects in regions with relatively low risks are encouraged to resume all-around operation, while the restart of those in medium-risk regions should be in different stages and on a staggered schedule.

Local authorities should instruct companies in health and safety management, personnel gathering management, staff health screening, storage of epidemic prevention materials and emergency measures to ensure safe operation, according to the circular.

The ministry also urged local authorities to ensure the supply of labor and epidemic control and construction materials, guide firms to extend project completion dates through negotiations, clear arrears of government departments and state-owned companies owed to private firms and fully promote electronic bidding and remote bid evaluation.