The construction sector hasn't been forced to shutdown as part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, although work sites are having to adapt to comply with social distancing requirements.

Lunch breaks are being staggered to limit the amount of physical interaction. Workers are being broken up into smaller teams for the same reason. There's more thorough and regular cleaning of toilets and other amenities.

But while the sector has been able to press on in some capacity as other industries shuttered around it, there are dark clouds looming on the horizon for one of the key drivers on the ACT economy.

The latest ANZ/Property Council survey, to be published on Thursday, showed that industry confidence had dropped to its lowest level on record amid the COVID-19 crisis.

ACT Property Council executive director Adina Cirson said the figures highlighted the critical nature of efforts to sustain the industry, which she said would be "vital" as the territory started on the long road to recovery from the health and economic crises.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr last week signaled that funding for small-scale infrastructure projects would be brought forward in the next tranche of the ACT's coronavirus rescue package, as the government looked to maintain activity in Canberra's construction sector over the course of the next 12 months.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also singled out the construction sector as one of the industries which could be ramped up to support the economy.

Master Builders Association of the ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins welcomed Mr Morrison's statement, as he called on the territory government to do more to support the local industry.

"There are many private sector projects that can be brought to market to assist the economic recovery," Mr Hopkins said.

"For these projects we're calling on the ACT government to remove red tape to allow for these projects to commence as quickly as possible.

"This includes speeding up development approvals, quickly processing leasing and unit titling applications and fast-tracking as many regulatory processes as possible."

Mr Hopkins said to ensure the full economic benefits of the projects were retained in Canberra, the government and private developers should hire local builders, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants.

The local construction sector employs about 20,000 people, which amounts to 8.7 per cent of Canberra's total workforce, he said.

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CFMEU ACT branch secretary Jason O'Mara said it was imperative that the government pushed ahead with it major job-creating infrastructure projects, such as the SPIRE hospital expansion and light rail's extension to Woden.

Mark Bauer, the general manager of Fyshwick-based construction firm Manteena, said the period in six to 12 months time would be critical for the construction sector and the wider economy.

"We are not really seeing the effects of it yet and the concern is what happens in six months time when these [current] projects are complete - what is the next phase of projects?" he said.

For the time being, Mr Bauer's team, which is working on a mix of residential and commercial projects across Canberra, is starting to adjust to the "new normal" of physical distancing restrictions.

"From our perspective, it's about clear communication," he said.

"It's about having conversations - whether that be face to face or through apps - to remind them about hygiene and social distancing."

"I think there might be some lessons from what we are doing now that we keep going with into the future."

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