As California reopens on June 15, 2021, employers must be careful to comply with numerous federal, state, and local (county and city) regulations. Businesses not only have to comply with the state’s reopening guidelines if they serve the public (such as retail, restaurants, and theaters), but they must also comply with Cal/OSHA’s regulations that govern employees. Here are five resources California employers can use to help in navigating the multitude of regulations they face during the reopening of the state:
1. California’s regulations regarding masks effective June 15, 2021
The state’s guidance of face coverings: https://covid19.ca.gov/masks-and-ppe/#Face-coverings-Guidance
2. Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS)
Cal/OSHA’s ETS applies to most employers in California and sets various requirements on employers regarding COVID-19. Late on June 9, 2021, Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board withdrew proposed revisions to the ETS that were approved on June 3, 2021 and were expected to take effect by June 15, 2021, in connection with California’s reopening and lifting of the restrictions under the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.”
Cal/OSHA’s website and explanation of the status of the revised ETS is here.
To learn more about Cal/OSHA’s revisions to the ETS and what the withdrawal of the revised ETS on June 9, 2021 means for California employers, see our prior post here. For additional information about the original ETS implemented in November 2020 that are still applicable to California employers (as of June 11, 2021) is here.
3. California Department of Public Health memo dated May 21, 2021, “Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors – Effective June 15”
The Department of Public Health’s May 21, 2021 memo sets forth the revised restrictions for California as it reopens on June 15, 2021. The memo addresses vaccine verification/negative testing requirements, capacity limitations, physical distancing, masks, and travel advisories. The memo can be viewed here.
4. California Department of Public Health memo dated June 9, 2021, “Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings”
The Department of Public Health’s June 9, 2021 memo sets forth guidance for the use of face covering s for the general public and businesses as the state reopens on June 15, 2021. The memo can be found here.
5. Local County and City Regulations
Employers need to ensure compliance with local county and city requirements as well. For example, on June 10, Los Angeles County had a virtual town hall discussing the county’s plan for reopening. A recording of the town hall can be viewed here:
Los Angeles County will be issuing written guidelines within the next few days.