Last week, it was reported that a construction worker helping build the Las Vegas Raiders’ new stadium had tested positive for the coronavirus. Now, it is happened again, but for another new stadium in the works.
Sports Illustrated is reporting that a construction worker at SoFi Stadium, which is the future home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, has tested positive for COVID-19.
That positive test has put the state of the stadium and its completion in serious doubt.
“The Herrick Corporation, one of the companies involved with the construction of SoFi Stadium, sent an email Friday night notifying those who might have come in contact with the infected ironworker, a copy of which Sports Illustrated’s ChargerReport has obtained. When reached for a statement on the positive test for COVID-19 on Saturday, The Herrick Corporation vice president Wayne Morrison told SI, “No comment.”
A stay-at-home order issued by California governor Gavin Newsome on March 19 halted most business activity within the state. However, officials gave SoFi Stadium project permission to continue operation while the order remains in place. To that end, Turner AECOM Hunt, the joint venture serving as a general contractor for the stadium construction, sent all non-essential workers home and installed increased health and safety guidelines for all remaining workers.”
As a result, there were new guidelines put in place that told workers to remain six feet away from each other during rest periods and lunch breaks, forbid any group gatherings, called for deep cleaning on job sites and the installation of additional toilets and hand-washing stations.
It also stated that “if these guidelines cannot be met and a project is in tight quarters, consideration should be given to shutting the construction project down until safer conditions exist.”
If the state of California wanted to, they could halt the construction of SoFi Stadium while the stay-at-home order is in effect. That means businesses in California not deemed essential would be suspending their operations.
