As the first coronavirus cases were registered in Hungary at the beginning of March, the effect of the epidemic on first-quarter figures might have been smaller. The epidemic may affect the construction industry in two ways. Projects that have already started may stop or may continue at a slower pace and it may hold back the value of projects entering construction phase.  Results show that there was a massive decline in the value of completed projects already in Q1 2020. The value of the Activity Completion Indicator of the EBI Construction Activity Report in the domestic construction industry decreased by 29% due to the epidemic, and several hundred projects were delayed.

Penta Real Estate has obtained a zoning decision which means that it can apply for a building permit for its Masaryk station mixed-use reconstruction project in the centre of Prague. Based on the design of Zaha Hadid Architects, the project has been in the works for over a decade. Completion is planned for 2022-2025.

In the Serbian economy, the construction industry has been one of the sectors least affected by COVID-19, with only smaller decrease recorded in production volumes and logistical capacity. The Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association has published a COVID-19 update on the construction sector of Serbia.

COVID-19’s direct impact on ongoing construction activity in Romania has been minimal since no restrictions were in place specifically targeting construction works. Several indirect factors, however, are expected to limit the amount of construction activity. The Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association has published a COVID-19 update on the construction sector of Romania.

Generation Park Y, Skanska's highest office project in the CEE region, reached the target height of 140 metres. The building will offer 47,000 sqm GLA with completion planned for Q1 2021.

The construction industry seems to have been relatively less affected than some other industries (like tourism) as most large projects continue during the lockdown measures across the region. The Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association has published a COVID-19 update on the construction sectors of Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia.

Skanska has been assigned to construct a new medical faculty for the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (UKSW).

A new subsidiary has been created by the Bayer Construct group of companies, which is 100% Hungarian-owned and offers complex construction and real estate development solutions. The new company, Bayer Property will focus on the preparation and implementation of complex real estate development projects

Arcadis published the annual results of the international construction costs comparison (International Construction Costs 2020). Arcadis ICC Index 2020 monitors 100 cities around the world, assessing their construction costs and market conditions. This year's study also includes an insight into the construction industry in view of the current coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing climate change. According to the ICC Index 2020, Prague has higher construction costs in the CEE region than Warsaw (Poland), Belgrade (Serbia), Bucharest (Romania) and Sofia (Bulgaria), but lower than Zagreb (Croatia).  

This week, the European construction industry calls for urgent measures to protect workers’ health, support economic activity and accelerate the recovery.