Los Angeles County updated its requirements for employers who have employees working within the County.  This Friday’s Five highlights five issues employers in Los Angeles County should review (and the need to monitor for further updates that the County is currently working on):

1. Mask requirements

Los Angeles County sets forth that employers must now provide and require employees in close contact with others to wear a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask, or higher-level respirator such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator or KN95, at all times while indoors at the worksite or facility. Masks need not be worn indoors if the employee is alone in a room or actively eating or drinking. For a review of mask options, please visit this page.

2. Isolation and quarantine requirements

Los Angeles County recently updated its isolation and quarantine requirements on 1/13/22.  A chart of the various requirements depending on the employee’s test results and vaccination status can be found here.

3. Responding to COVID-19 in the workplace

LA County is updating their guidance on responding to COVID-19 in the workplace (the old page can be found here.  However, employers should monitor this page for updates, which the County notes is being completed.

4. Outbreak response

Employers have reporting obligations under Cal/OSHA ETS and under LA County requirements for outbreaks in the workplace.  Generally, an outbreak is defined as three or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 are known or reported at the worksite within a 14-day period.  LA County’s requirements are listed here. However, it is recommended that employers routinely check this page for any potential updates regarding reporting obligations.

5. Remember to also comply with Cal/OSHA ETS

California employers with employees in Los Angeles must also remember to comply with the Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS).  The Cal/OSHA ETS were updated in December 2021 to include revisions related to returning to work after close contact. The revisions are effective starting on January 14, 2022. The latest order from the California Department of Public Health on January 5, 2022 requires the use of face coverings by all employees when indoors. More information on the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards and the isolation and quarantine requirements is available here.