Since office construction is still active and could enter a phase of over-supply, combined with the strong increase in telecommuting, the market could face a contraction in the coming months.
Because of the spread of covid-19, governments in Central America have decreed strict home quarantines.
Due to the drop in economic activity generated by the covid-19 crisis, a 7.9% reduction in domestic electricity consumption was reported in the region between March and June 2020, when compared to the levels of the same period in 2019.
Regarding the reduction of internal consumption of electricity in the countries from March to June 2020, we have that Guatemala had a drop in its demand of 239 GWh (Gigawatt hours), which corresponds to 6.6% compared to the consumption of electricity in 2019, in the case of El Salvador with a reduction of 335 GWh, equivalent to 15.4%, says a report from the Regional Operating Agency (EOR).
Although the Guatemalan economy has almost stagnated in recent months, during the first half of the year the number of loans granted for the purchase of residences grew 3%, and by 2021 it is predicted that sales could be similar to those of 2019.
The social distancing measures and the prohibition of several economic activities decreed by the authorities due to the covid-19 outbreak, caused considerable negative effects to the Guatemalan real estate market.
After more than four months of closure due to the covid-19 outbreak, shopping malls in Guatemala received the endorsement to start serving their customers and as of July 31 have reactivated their operations.
With the publication of Ministerial Agreement 187-2020, the Health Alert System for the covid-19 epidemic was made official, which includes four alerts: red or maximum, orange or high, yellow or moderate, and green (new normal).
With the application of the Health Alert System by covid-19, the Guatemalan economy was reopened, however, the operating guidelines and specific health and safety protocols for various economic activities have not been made official.
Faced with the sudden change that the new normal generated in companies, employees are challenged to increase their skills to work remotely, adapt to more flexible contracts and refine their technological skills and cognitive qualities.
Telecommuting has become an everyday occurrence among companies in the region, which have had to adjust to the restrictions imposed by governments due to the outbreak of covid-19.
As of July 27, the different production activities can be carried out, as long as the restrictions of the Health Alert System for the covid-19 epidemic are met, which will have a municipal, departmental or regional scope.
After more than four months of restrictions on the mobility of people and some economic activities, President Alejandro Giammattei explained on the night of July 26 that the country will enter a phase of reopening the economy.
Since the pest represents a threat and is capable of destroying crops in a very short time, moving large distances in one day, a state of phytosanitary emergency was declared in the country due to a significant increase in the number of flying locusts.
In the new context, disinfection service companies are offering innovative solutions to meet new customer requirements, such as the use of ultraviolet light cleaning systems.
Cleaning articles and services are some of the issues that have gained ground in the digital environment in this context of health crisis, which derives from the outbreak of covid-19 in the region.
Reduction in advertising and marketing budgets in companies and an increase in the preference for investment in television campaigns are part of the changes that are being reported in the context of the new commercial reality.
Radical changes in the ways people relate to each other, new consumer habits and the home confinement decreed by the pandemic have led to a transformation in the advertising sector.
In the context of the economic crisis, it is estimated that companies in Central America have reduced the working hours of employees to an average of 32 hours per week.
As a result of the spread of covid-19 in the countries of the region and the imposition of strict home quarantines, demand for products and services has fallen considerably in most markets.
The current business scenario ended up breaking down several barriers, and now there are more customers who demand the online services of financial institutions, which are challenged to facilitate digital processes and in turn apply strict security standards.
In the last four months, in most Central American cities, bank clients have moved away from the bank's service points, because between the home quarantines decreed due to the spread of covid-19 and the preference to avoid attending places where large numbers of people can congregate, consumers are choosing to look for ways to carry out transactions digitally.
The health and economic crisis has forced private schools and universities in Central American countries to cut back on staff, invest in platforms for virtual classes, offer payment facilities and increase their presence in the digital environment.
Because of the spread of covid-19, in most countries in the region, face-to-face classes at all educational levels have been suspended since mid-March 2020.
Given the possibility that in the coming weeks business will reopen in Guatemala, 86% of consumers do not agree with the opening of shopping centers and 84% do not support the reactivation of restaurant table service.
The "Exploratory Study of the Behavior of Guatemalans towards the Coronavirus", revealed that at this time, when the number of covid-19 infections in the country exceeds 33 thousand and the number of deaths amounts to more than 1,400, consumers would not agree with the reopening of some businesses.
Restrictions on the movement of vehicles and people, and to some extent, the ban on office work, are forcing companies to reinvent their ways of operating and revolutionize their work culture.
Following the spread of covid-19, strict home quarantines were decreed in Central American countries. This scenario boosted the implementation of teleworking and forced companies to adapt to a new way of operating.
Recognized Brazilian company of backhoe loaders, telescopic, articulated and other types of cranes looking for companies interested in representing the brand and distributing their machinery in Central America and Mexico. The company manufactures and sells telescopic,...
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