Since the time Austin got guidelines on shelter-in-place measures for prevention of the Coronavirus spreading, on March 25th, the debate on which construction work should be deemed essential went on for quite some time. On Monday, March 30th, the City Council has brought forward a decision on which categories of construction work are essential. Any construction work that doesn’t fit in either of the categories, will be placed on a halt as of immediate action.
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Which Construction Projects Are Categorized as “Essential” in Texas?
On Monday the City Council has brought the decision to place all non-essential construction work on halt. Previously, all construction work was deemed as essential, however, with the spreading of the Coronavirus, new measures of prevention have been brought forward. Four categories define essential construction work, which is “essential activities, critical infrastructure, essential business or affordable housing projects”. Any construction project that doesn’t meet the given criteria or doesn’t belong to any of the categories, will be placed on hold. In case construction projects deemed as non-essential continue with on-site activities, there will be “enforcement actions” conducted against these businesses.
Residential Construction Allowed in Texas
Other counties and cities and Texas aside Austin have allowed residential construction work to continue. The measurements of precaution and prevention of spreading COVID-19 are a priority, while the work continues on construction projects such as shelters for homeless, emergency repairs, affordable housing, construction for facilities that provide social services, as well as construction work essential to government facilities. Additionally, all work related to the prevention of further spreading of pandemics and treatment of COVID-19 patients will also be allowed.
Safety Precautions Taken at Construction Sites
Safety must come first, so all construction sites are taking preauction measures. These safety measures include the overall screening of construction workers, stations for washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting shared tools, keeping distance as much as the work allows and wearing protective equipment such as masks, goggles, and gloves.
Photo by Rémi Bertogliati on Unsplash
