Numbers of self-isloating workers expected to close some jobs but latest data says news is better on supply chain issues
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus put the brakes on the industry’s ongoing recovery last month with warnings growing that sites may have to temporarily close if too many workers are being forced to self-isolate under new covid rules.
According to the latest IHS Markit/CIPS report for construction output, the growing number of cases and people being forced to self-isolate blunted growth in December with the index posting a score 54.3 – down from 55.5 in November – which was the weakest growth for three months.
Architects have told Building Design that delays caused by construction workers isolating - rather than outright site closures - are the main problem they are facing at the moment.
Omicron首次出现在11月下旬，编制该调查的IHS Markit主管蒂姆•摩尔(Tim Moore)表示:“英国建筑公司去年年底的业绩略显疲弱，因为新的疫情限制措施阻碍了复苏，尤其是在商业工作和土木工程领域。”一些公司评论说，covid-19病例的增加造成了破坏。”
Max Jones, a director of Lloyds Bank’s infrastructure and construction team, added: “While Omicron is front of mind for contractors, it’s not the threat of a full lockdown, which looks peripheral, but a surge in cases that could halt work on projects that’s the worry. If that combines with a weather-induced slowdown it could make for a volatile start to the new year.”
The chief executive of Scape, Mark Robinson, admitted that sites could find it difficult to plug gaps if workers were forced to quarantine at home in droves. He said: “As with other sectors, rising Omicron case numbers will further squeeze the supply of labour.”
And KPMG head of infrastructure, building and construction Jan Crosby warned:“Any tightening of restrictions or workers needing to self-isolate will likely result in project delays or even the temporary closure of some sites.”
The number of NHS England staff off sick with covid at the start of the year was more than 35,500, a level last seen in January 2021, while the number of daily cases at the end of last week was close to 180,000.
But there was better news on the supply issues which dogged the industry throughout last year as the number of firms reporting problems fell from 47% in November to 34% last month.
这个数字明显低于9月份的63%，也明显低于6月份77%的峰值。
Residential construction was the only category to gain momentum in December, with the index increasing from 54.7 in November to 55.3.
商业活动下降近3个点，至53.6，而土木工程活动逆转，为49.1，低于11月的53.9，结束了连续9个月的扩张。
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