A worker for a subcontractor at the Resorts World Las Vegas construction project tested positive for the coronavirus.
Resorts World was notified by the project developer that the worker tested positive for a respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus. Records indicate that the worker was last on-site March 17. As soon as that diagnosis was made, the worker’s team members were informed and told to stay home for 14 days and self-isolate.
The assigned area where the worker had been as well as the surrounding area has been closed off and is being sterilized. A company spokesperson indicated the area will remain closed until April 1.
A worker on the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium project also tested positive for coronavirus. The area where the worker had been assigned was closed and sanitized.
Moving forward after the coronavirus diagnosis
The spokesperson did not indicate whether the developer, Genting Group, would stop construction of the $4.3 billion hotel-casino. However, it was noted that management has implemented new policies to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus; these policies include increased sanitation of on-site porta-potties, daily temperature checks for all workers, and more hand-washing stations all over the construction.
Recently, Genting Group revealed that the construction site had close to 2,200 construction workers every day. The company also said that the 3,500-room hotel should be open by the summer of 2021.
In a statement, Resorts World president Scott Sibella said the project developers “do plan to continue construction” on the project. Also, they were working closely with the lead contractor to make sure proper measures were “being taken to ensure the health and safety of our workers while they are on site.”
Coronavirus devastates Sin City
The coronavirus has resulted in statewide closures, causing massive job loss in Las Vegas as well as the rest of the country. Governor Steve Sisolak ordered all “nonessential” businesses in Nevada to shutdown for 30-days to contain the spread of the virus. “Nonessential” businesses include not only casinos, but also restaurants, shopping malls, beauty salons, arenas, and a lot more. However, construction projects were deemed “essential” and work was allowed to continue.
Nevada state officials released guidelines stating that Nevada construction sites should make sure that workers remain 6 feet apart. The guidelines also restrict gatherings and meetings to no more than 10 people. Finally, construction sites must conduct daily reviews of the workers’ health.
Las Vegas had many real estate projects worth billions of dollars’ worth underway before the city began shutting down due to fears of the coronavirus. However, at least one major construction project, The Drew, has suspended construction work during the pandemic.
When complete, the 735-foot tall, 63-floor Drew Las Vegas will be the tallest building in Las Vegas as well as in the state. Owner Steve Witkoff said in a recent statement that the company had “stopped construction crews from coming on-site” and had asked its corporate employees to work from home. In January, the project had hundreds of workers on-site, and Witkoff hopes to see a “see a much larger” work crew beginning in June, with as many as 2,000 workers on-site.
Las Vegas kicked off 2020 with many billions of dollars’ worth of construction projects underway. Throughout the state, construction employed nearly 100,000 people as of January. That’s nearly 7% of the state’s labor market, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation.
Job losses in Nevada are skyrocketing; the state received an astounding 92,300 unemployment claims, just for the week ending March 21. That’s more than a 1,350% increase over the previous week. That is the most unemployment claims ever in the history of the state.
While the Governor’s shutdown order should be lifted in less than 2 weeks, it could be extended. While that may help stem the spread of the virus, it would only plunge the state’s economy even further.
