The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), on May 15, 2023, updated its COVID-19 guidance, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.” The EEOC called the update “the capstone to our comprehensive resource of questions and answers on COVID-19 and the anti-discrimination laws enforced
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COVID-19 Restrictions Are Ending! What California Employers Need To Know
COVID-19 States of Emergency Ending
The federal government and the State of California announced they are ending their states of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. California has announced it is lifting its state of emergency on February 28, 2023. In January, the White House announced that the national and public health emergencies related to…
California OSHSB Votes in Favor of Adopting Nonemergency COVID-19 Regulation
On December 15, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) voted to adopt the COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations (the Non-Emergency Regulation). Once the Non-Emergency Regulation takes effect, the regulations will remain in effect for two years, except for the recordkeeping subsections, which will apply for three years. As the California Division of Occupational…
CDPH Updates Definitions of Close Contact
In June 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its definition of “close contact” to refer to individuals who share the same indoor airspace, replacing the previous “six-foot rule.” This revised definition leaves employers with large facilities with more questions than answers.
On October 14, 2022, CDPH further updated the definition of “close…
Cal/OSHA Approves Third Readoption of Emergency Temporary Standards
On April 21, 2022, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved the third readoption of the Emergency Temporary Standards (the Standard). The current Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), which took effect January 14, 2022, is set to expire May 6, 2022. The newly approved Standard will likely take effect May 6 and will…
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Eliminates Most Masking Requirements
The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health has again issued a revised Public Health Order (Order) that significantly narrows Los Angeles County’s mask mandate, effective March 4, 2022. As explained in the Order, the updates are largely aimed at relaxing masking requirements to align with Executive Order N-5-22 and California Department of Public…
California Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Relax Indoor Mask Mandate for Employees Not Fully Vaccinated
On February 28, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order (EO) that suspended Section 3205(c)(6)(A) of the current Cal/OSHA ETS. As a result, employers will no longer have to provide face coverings to employees who are not fully vaccinated, and such employees will no longer have to wear a mask indoors or in…
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Issues a Revised Health Order
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a revised Health Order (“Order”) that makes important changes to Los Angeles County’s mask mandate, effective February 25, 2022. The major revisions are summarized below:
New Options Available to Establishments: Operators of “[a]ll indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and public and private businesses” may choose to…
California Labor Commissioner Issues Frequently Asked Questions on State’s 2022 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Requirements
As reported here, earlier this month California Governor Newsom signed into law SB 114, which reinstates COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave for covered employees in California. The state’s Labor Commissioner recently issued 37 frequently asked questions (FAQs) addressing California Labor Code Section 248.6 in more detail, which includes guidance to help employers comply…
California Plans to Loosen Universal Indoor Mask Mandate Effective February 16, 2022
On December 15, 2021, California reinstated a mandatory indoor masking requirement to correspond with the rise in Omicron cases. However, as COVID-19 cases in California have steadily decreased, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued updated guidance to take effect February 16, 2022, which loosens the mask requirements for vaccinated individuals. According to…