By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The stadium-building team of Mortenson/McCarthy, overseeing the construction of Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, has beefed up COVID-19 prevention measures by placing several hand-washing and sanitizing stations near one of Allegiant Stadium’s main worker entrances to the 62.5-acre site just off the Strip.
LVSportsBiz.com saw a new sign Sunday stating, “Mandatory Prior to Entering Site All Employees must use Hand Wash or Hand Sanitizing Station.”
So far, seven construction workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. But LVSportsBiz.com has reported that the Southern Nevada Health District recently administered 847 COVID-19 tests at the stadium construction site.
“My understanding (is) that the results of the (health district) testing are forthcoming,” said Jeremy Aguero, Las Vegas-based consultant for the Las Vegas Stadium Authority.
So, it’s unclear how many of the 847 COVID-19 tests will result in coronavirus cases. More than 85,000 Americans have died from the virus, including 345 Nevadans. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has deemed construction as essential work
About 45 staff members of the Southern Nevada Health District one day and 20 the following day were involved in the recent COVID-19 tests of the stadium workers, according to Stephanie Bethel of the health district’s office of communications.
“We also worked with community partners who assisted us with testing on both days as part of this effort,” Bethel told LVSportsBiz.com Friday. Here are the Nevada numbers as of Friday, May 15.
The Raiders say the 65,000-seat, domed stadium will be ready by July 31. It’s a $1.97 billion project, including $1.4 billion for the venue’s actual construction. The Southern Nevada public is contributing $750 million to help pay for the stadium. Here is a picture of the stadium as of Saturday night.
And here is a video showing the Raiders stadium’s retractable playing field.
The stadium has a Garth Brooks scheduled for Aug. 22, a Raiders-Cardinals preseason game Aug. 27, a UNLV-Cal football game Aug. 29 and a Raiders-Rams preseason game Sept. 3. And then the first Raiders regular season game at Allegiant Stadium is scheduled for a Monday Night Football game Sept. 21 when the Las Vegas team hosts the New Orleans Saints.
Will fans be allowed in the stadium for these events because of the coronavirus pandemic? It’s unknown at this point.
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