More than 30 daily workers on the offseason Mercedes-Benz Superdome renovations tested positive for COVID-19 and are now in isolation at their homes, according to the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSUD).
All in all, 32 of the approximately 275 Superdome renovations workers tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the latest outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests at football construction sites, including SoFi Stadium, Bryant-Denny Stadium and Allegiant Stadium.
Superdonne renovations were deemed essential work by Gov. John Bel Edwards during an initial stay-at-home order. This is not unusual: most states exempted construction work as an essential industry.
The Superdome is currently undergoing $450 million in renovations.
The statement from the LSUD:
“We can confirm that in the last few weeks, 32 of the 275-plus daily workers on the project have tested positive for COVID-19. This post-Memorial Day increase is consistent with what 21 other states, not including Louisiana, are experiencing at this stage of the pandemic as more restrictions have been lifted for travel, shopping, and work.
“After learning of the affected workers, Broadmoor LLC, the main contractor for the project, implemented its coronavirus response plan to ensure that those affected workers had been isolated away from the job site. These workers will be required to complete the CDC-compliant protocol and provide Broadmoor LLC evidence of a negative COVID-19 test before being allowed back on the site. We have also increased mitigation measures such as mandatory masks to protect workers who remain on the job.
“From the beginning of this pandemic, this project has been considered ‘essential’ in accordance with Governor John Bel Edward’s Executive Proclamation on March 22, 2020. Work has proceeded uninterrupted with mitigation steps that meet or exceed CDC protocols. Broadmoor and Superdome staff continue to work collectively to assure that all workers in the facility adhere to health and safety protocols, which includes access to handwashing stations, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and that all workspaces are cleaned and sanitized daily. In addition, medical technicians administer temperature screenings for all workers who enter the Superdome each day, and Broadmoor has instituted social distancing measures, including staggered starts and breaks.”
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