Spain’s construction and automotive sectors gradually resume activity

Spanish industry, including the construction and automotive sectors, is gradually resuming production. Meanwhile, the national government has extended the deadline of confinement due to the coronavirus outbreak for the second time, Kallanish notes.

The construction and automotive sectors are taking a series of strict measures to restart their activity in accordance with the health and safety regulations imposed by the authorities, representatives from both industries confirm. These were not included by the authorities in the original ‘list of essential sectors’.

The construction sector is resuming activity in both the public infrastructure and building works, and the private construction of housing sectors. It will work under an action guide in order to guarantee prevention and security against the virus and under criteria and recommendations by the Ministry of Health. These include a wide range of prevention measures. According to the local construction association, Asociación de Empresas Constructoras y Concesionarias de infraestructuras (Seopan), construction is the sector that generates the largest economic activity in the country contributing 10% of GDP. Public works represent 12% of this total business, and private projects the remaining 78%. The construction sector employs 1.27 million workers, Seopan adds.

Meanwhile, the automotive industry association Anfac and the unions have agreed on a framework health protocol that allows for the gradual restart of production and distribution. The protocol will be applied to the government`s instructions and could be adapted according to the evolution of the Covid-19 outbreak, Anfac says. The automotive sector has been the only industry that has halted its activity since the government implemented the state of emergency on 14 March, the association confirms.