MARCH 23 UPDATE on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) & CONSTRUCTION
 
The Austin AGC wants to keep you informed on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its impact on construction activity.  In addition to regular emails such as this, we are posting information on our LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter social media outlets, so be sure sure to follow those regularly as well.  


1. GENERAL INFORMATION & RESOURCES
 
The AGC of America (AGCA) has an abundance of information on their website here about the fast-evolving coronavirus issue and its impact on construction.  The site is updated often, so please continue to every day resources you can use to educate you and your employees.

Also, beginning today the AGCA is hosting Navigating the Outbreak: An Eight Part Webinar Series on the Factors that Construction Companies Need to Consider, as They Strive for Business Continuity.  This series is free to AGC members.  Register here. 

AGC held a WebEd for members and chapters on Friday, March 20th for an update on how the construction industry is being impacted by the coronavirus. If you missed it, c lick   here for the recording of this WebEd and  here for the slides.  
 
2.  AUSTIN & TEXAS CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

We are receiving requests from local hospitals for additional N95 masks/respirators. If you have any available to donate, please contact  Phil Thoden  at the Austin AGC.

As with last week, construction activity in Austin (and across Texas) is continuing at this time.  However, we urge you to adopt jobsite best practices in order to prevent any workers from getting coronavirus.  A list of best practices is available here in English , and available here in Spanish.   Please use at your jobsites and distribute widely ! 
 
City of Austin staff who oversee all areas of permitting & inspections continue to work as noted in this  March 17 memo from the Development Services Department. 

Numerous construction associations in Texas, including the AGC Texas Building Branch (TBB)  sent a letter last week to Governor Abbott urging him to keep construction as an essential service to be continued at this time.   

3. TELL WASHINGTON LEADERS CONSTRUCTION IS ESSENTIAL

Tell President Trump and Congress to treat the construction industry and the work it performs as vital and essential to the critical industries that must remain in operation to respond to this pandemic and crises to come. To ensure this is the case, the federal government must issue guidance classifying construction as a critical infrastructure industry whose workers are essential.
   
Please know that the Austin AGC, in partnership with other AGC Chapters in Texas and the
AGC of America , is monitoring this issue closely and we will provide additional resources and guidance as they become available.  In the meantime, both myself and Chapter Safety Director Michael Welvaert are available at any time to help you and your company address coronavirus issues as they impact construction activity.  Do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,


Phil Thoden
President and CEO
Austin Chapter AGC
512.442.7887