COVID-19 Sanctions Cause Confusion on Pharma-Bio Construction Sites, an Industrial Info Market Brief
Deemed an essential industry across the globe, the Pharmaceutical-Biotech Industry has generally been allowed to keep the majority of its plants operating. Companies are still working out the remote aspect for those employees who can work offsite, while in many cases others are expanding production to 24/7 operations to keep up with demand.
The same holds true for active capital construction projects. Or does it? Questions and quandaries have popped up across the U.S. on job sites. Do local sanctions supersede protected status when it comes to construction? If a project is underway, can it continue? Can a new one start? Are manufacturing capacity projects allowed, but new labs halted? General contractors and subs alike are in the dark with no firm written guidelines or rules across the board. It lays in individual interpretation in most cases. Not to mention contractual agreements and liability.
For some, it appears to be business as usual. In other cases, the general contractor decides to proceed, but wonders if the subs will show up? Can the building supplies be delivered?
These questions and more will continue to crop up as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve and regulations are developed.
In the meantime, it is important to keep in mind that Pharma-Bio Industry projects tend to have a high probability factor for making it off the white board to active construction. Obviously, some timelines may be delayed, but in all likelihood, most projects that are stalled will eventually launch or resume active construction.
