The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been hard to contain over the last month or so. In response, society has more or less shut down aside from businesses and workplaces deemed “essential” by government bodies.
One of the essential workplaces has been the Los Angeles Rams’ new home, SoFi Stadium. Although the stadium is not yet complete, construction has continued throughout this time. Of course, construction often requires a team to tackle just one small aspect of a giant stadium, making social distancing hard to achieve.
With that in mind, in late March it was announced that one construction worker contracted the coronavirus.
Construction has pushed on and now it has been revealed that another construction worker has tested positive for the coronavirus. According to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times, the second employee has not worked since March 29 and, according to an email received by the L.A. Times, was working in an isolated area:
“The worker was located in an isolated area outside the building performing backfill operations in Parking Lots F & G,” the email said. “The individual had not at any time entered the building or used any of its common areas.”
The worker is “receiving care and recovering,” according to the email. Co-workers who had “close contact” with the worker are in self-quarantine and equipment and facilities the worker used are being disinfected.
“PLEASE NOTE,” one sentence of the email said, using all capital letters, “THE PROJECT REMAINS OPEN TO WORK WITHOUT RESTRICTION.”
In the wake of the news surrounding the coronavirus, the L.A. Times also detailed that construction workers will now have their temperature checked before entering for work. Although this is considered a voluntary check, any worker who refuses will be sent home.
Additionally, any worker who has a temperature of 100 degrees or more will be tested again in a secure area. Should the worker’s temperature remain elevated during the second check, they will be required to stay home until their temperature remains normal for three days without medication.
The contractors for SoFi stadium are also staggering start times for construction workers, in hopes of reducing crowds upon entry for work. Construction appears to be continuing as normal for now, especially with an expectation that the stadium will be completed in July. Before the Rams or Los Angeles Chargers get to hit the field, SoFi Stadium is set to open with a pair of Taylor Swift concerts in late July. Hopefully the stadium can be completed but more importantly, hopefully the workers can stay healthy and safe in the process.
