U.S., March 19 -- Strabag, Austria's largest construction company, is halting its regular construction operations with around 1,000 sites across Austria on lockdown.

The order applies until further notice and at least as long as the 98th Directive of the Federal Minister of Social Affairs in accordance with Section 2 of the federal law on provisional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 applies - i.e. until 22 March 2020.

"The restrictions on public life associated with the coronavirus prevention measures are having an enormous impact on our construction operations," the company said in a statement.

"After weighing all the interests and, above all, due to our responsibility to society, we feel compelled to take this drastic step,...