Two contractors working on Metro construction projects have been confirmed as having the COVID-19 virus. Neither had any involvement with the day-to-day operations of the Metro bus and rail system.

The first case involves a field electrical subcontractor working on the Portal Widening & Turnback Facility project at the Red/Purple Line subway yards in downtown Los Angeles.

The worker had been experiencing flu-like symptoms and last visited the work site on Monday, March 16, when the worker remained in a truck due to feeling ill. The worker was tested on Friday, March 20, and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Sunday, March 22.

Three people who were reported as having close contact to this worker were identified and sent home. None of the three were experiencing symptoms and all three have been asked to self-quarantine and remain away from the work site through March 30 at the earliest.

The contractor’s crews have returned to work with remedial actions taken, including holding meetings outdoors whenever possible to maintain social distancing and using a roll call instead of passing around a sign-in sheet.

The second case involves a document worker for Walsh Shea Corridor Constructors, the firm building the Crenshaw/LAX Line light rail project. The worker was stationed on the seventh floor of the office that Walsh Shea is using at 111 N. La Brea Avenue in Inglewood; the only Metro employees in that building are on the first floor.

The worker fell ill on Friday, March 13, was tested and treated by a physician on Wednesday, March 18. All employees who also worked on the seventh floor of the office were notified and placed into  quarantine. The entire project office will be thoroughly cleaned before employees are allowed to return to work there.

Metro continues to do its best to protect riders and agency employees from COVID-19. Cleaning of buses, trains and facilities has been strengthened. Gloves are available to bus operators who are also required to use the protective barriers between the driver’s seat and the remainder of the bus. Metro today also began rear-door only boarding and exiting on its bus system.

We are also asking all riders and employees to remain vigilant about following best health practices, including:

–Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Hand washing tips from the CDC are here. And try not to touch your face.

–Stay home if you are sick.

–Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue.

–Make sure you are using a robust, regular cleaning schedule for frequently touched surfaces such as cell phones and computers.