Construction of homes is considered an essential function and is allowed to continue. (Photo by Fred Greaves. Click to view slideshow)

Business as Usual in Homebuilding

Construction workers are considered ‘essential’ in California’s shelter-in-place order

Back Photo gallery Mar 26, 2020 By Fred Greaves

California health officials have confirmed that construction workers, including those building new housing, are part of the “essential critical infrastructure workforce” allowed to continue operating during the statewide shelter-in-place order. The order was influenced by a concerted lobbying effort on the part of construction executives and industry representatives, who warned against a rerun of the building pause and consequent housing shortage of the Great Recession, according to a story in The Sacramento Bee. 

Across the Capital Region, construction continues as usual on housing, infrastructure and other projects, even as workers in other sectors shelter at home. These photos were taken March 20 at one such project in Woodland, a new home development by Taylor Morrison in the Spring Lake neighborhood.

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In the Spring Lake neighborhood of Woodland, an area of mostly new housing developments, work progressed on single-family homes. 

The Sacramento County public health order requires individuals to maintain “social distancing of at least six feet from any other person” while outside their homes. 

The order also states that workers in “essential infrastructure,” including construction workers, must maintain social distancing “to the extent possible.”

Ignacio Guzman, left, and Eduardo Aguirre work for CVC Concrete Value Corp, whose safety program received a Golden Gate recognition from Cal/OSHA in 2007. Cal/OSHA requires employers to implement measures to prevent or reduce infection hazards in the workplace.

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