Construction activity in Germany and the United Kingdom was severely affected by the corona pandemic last month. Market researcher Markit reports that his purchasing managers index for the construction of the two countries released. Due to the measures to contain the coronavirus much less is being built.

The German index came out at 42, which was 55.8 in February. A reading above 50 indicates growth, below that it shows shrinkage.

The UK index fell to 39.3 from 52.6 a month earlier. That decline was greater than average economists had expected. They assumed a drop to 44.