DBIA’s mission is to provide the best resources available to help inform and empower our industry. In these uncertain times, that mission is even more important. As our communities fight the Coronavirus, we are working to find the best information available to help design-build teams navigate the unknown. This daily newsletter will provide the latest COVID-19 news for the AEC community.
Design-builders deliver in times of crisis and we will again.
If you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry from your organization, state or community please email us.
July 22nd
National
Deciding who would be eligible for next $1,200 stimulus checks could change with new legislation-CNBC. Lawmakers want to send another round of direct payments to Americans. All eyes are on Congress to see what they will include in the next coronavirus stimulus bill. That could include a second set of stimulus checks.
Business Travel in the Age of COVID-19: Underlying Law, Practical Considerations, and Best Practices-JD Supra. As states and cities reopen in an attempt to establish a new normal, many employers are considering restarting business travel. In doing so, employers face competing obligations including those to keep their employees safe, to comply with an evolving set of return to work laws, and to drive businesses growth in a challenging economy.
States
California
California Coronavirus Update: Health Czar Says State Will Issue A “Playbook” To Augment Newsom’s COVID-19 Orders-Deadline. The state’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mark Ghaly, delivered a presentation on the state’s actions thusfar and the rationale for them. He also hinted at new guidance yet to come from the state. (Note: California’s daily COVID-19 numbers are at the bottom of this post.)
Is SoFi Stadium Cursed? New Surge in COVID-19 Cases Brings Total to 49- NBC Los Angeles. As coronavirus cases across the country and in the county of Los Angeles continue to surge, SoFi Stadium, the soon-to-be home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, continues to pile up cases of its own. The first positive case of COVID-19 by a worker at SoFi Stadium was reported in March, and since that time another 48 workers have tested positive, bringing the total number of positive cases up to 49.
Florida
Social distancing surges again in Florida as COVID-19 cases rise and new shutdowns loom, data shows-South Florida Sun Sentinel. When Florida began its reopening in May, tracking data from cellphones showed what you would expect: People began moving and socializing in a quest for normalcy. Then coronavirus made a comeback as new cases surged and Florida emerged as one of the nation’s hot spots. Now, that same cellphone data shows Floridians beginning to recoil at the alarming headlines and threats of new shutdowns. Social distancing, at least for the moment, is back.
Virginia
Virginia Becomes First State to Adopt Mandatory COVID-19 Workplace Safety Requirements–JD Supra. The mandatory requirements are expected to include obligations surrounding flexible sick leave policies, the promotion of social distancing, policies to identify workers who may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace, and policies to determine when workers known or suspected to have had COVID-19 are able to return to the workplace.
Industry
Is the Construction Industry Ready? Hurricane Prep in the Midst of the Pandemic-Law.com. The 2020 hurricane season may prove to be like no other. Never has the development and construction industry had to prepare for a hurricane season while also dealing with the effects of an active pandemic.
Cities, OSHA crack down on COVID-19 jobsite violations-Construction Dive. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge across some parts of the country, jurisdictions are cracking down on construction firms that don’t follow jobsite guidelines for social distancing, handwashing and other coronavirus-related precautions.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.