The Indian government has allowed construction activities to resume in areas outside city limits from April 20. Most Indian cities are placed under an extended lockdown until May 3. Construction activities can also resume within city limits (non-COVID-19 hotspots) in projects where construction workers are housed on-site, but no movement of workers would allowed from outside the premises.
Resumption of construction activities will revive demand for construction steel including rebars and beams. The guideline allow construction of roads, irrigation projects and industrial projects in rural areas. Construction of renewable energy projects is also exempt from the lockdown.
The government has released guidelines for activities that are allowed during the extended lockdown with strict compliance to safety and social distancing measures with effect from April 20.
All trucks and goods carriers are exempt from the extended lockdown. Repairs shop and refreshment centres on highways are also exempt. Government has requested authorities to issue passes for staff and contract labourers working at airports, seaports, railways, ICDs and landports for smooth functioning of logistics operations.