SHIJIAZHUANG — The management committee of Xiongan New Area in North China's Hebei province said construction on the first batch of 28 projects has begun or resumed, with about 10,000 workers expected by the end of February.

In the meantime, more strict measures have been introduced to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus which causes the epidemic known as COVID-19.

Workers who have returned using public transport means within the past 14 days, those who have returned in private cars or designated buses within the past 14 days, and those who have not left construction sites during the Spring Festival holiday are managed separately, said a source of the management committee of Xiongan New Area.

Quarantine, separate meals, temperature tests, face masks and disinfection have all become regular features of daily life at the construction sites.

To offset adverse impact by COVID-19 on economy, the provincial government has encouraged different localities to be innovative in streamlining approval procedures to save time for developers and get construction projects started as soon as possible.