Previously, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) had redefined “close contact’ as someone sharing the same indoor airspace with a person who had COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. This definition had caused issues for employers in particular who needed to comply with notice requirements. These
Workplace Safety
California Prohibits Retaliation Against Employees for Refusal to Report to Work During Emergency Conditions
On September 29,2022, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 1044, which prohibits an employer in the event of an emergency condition from taking or threatening adverse action against any employee for refusing to report to, or leave a workplace or worksite within the affected areas because the employee has a reasonable belief…
COVID-19 Employee Notice Requirements Revamped and Extended Until 2024
On September 29, 2022, California’s Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2693, which amends and extends COVID-19 workplace notice requirements until January 1, 2024.
Under existing law adopted under AB 685, if an employer receives notice of potential exposure to COVID-19, the employer must provide written notice of the potential exposure within one business…
California Legislature Considers Employer Vaccine Mandate
As COVID-19 restrictions loosen around the state, California’s legislature continues its consideration of legislation pertaining to the pandemic.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1993 which was introduced in February proposes that employers require employees and independent contractors who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to show proof of vaccination. Current employees and independent contractors would need…
California Changes Mask Guidance for Public Settings and Workplaces
The same week that California’s third round of COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave went into effect, the Governor released the state’s strategy for the endemic phase of COVID-19.
Aligning with the new endemic strategy, on February 28, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued revised guidance regarding masks. Effective March 1, 2022,…
Statewide Universal Masking Expires February 15th but Employers Need to Consider Local and Cal/OSHA Requirements
In January the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) extended universal masking indoors through February 15, 2022, due to a continued COVID-19 surge. In advance of the expiration, Governor Newsom announced that universal masking would not be extended again. The CDPH also published mask guidance for after February 15th.
Effective February 16,…
California Extends Indoor Masking Requirements & Los Angeles County Mandates Medical-Grade Masks for Workplaces
In mid-December, as COVID-19 cases began to rise, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reinstituted indoor masking requirements and Cal/OSHA confirmed that requirements applied in the workplace. When issued, the mandate was only supposed to remain in effect until January 15, 2022.
However, with COVID-19 cases still on an uptick, the CDPH has…
California Mandates COVID-19 Booster for Workers in Health Care, Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care by February 1, 2022
Over the summer as California saw a rise in COVID-19 cases, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued orders mandating vaccinations of health care workers and workers in adult care facilities and direct care workers.
With cases again on the rise, the state has issued two, updated mandates that cover: (1) health care…
Clarification for Masks in the Workplace from CDPH and Cal/OSHA
Less than 24 hours after the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) new mask mandate went into effect, the CDPH updated its guidance to clarify the application of the mandate. Previously, the mandate by the CDPH referenced “indoor public settings” without further definition. In the updated guidance, the CDPH clarifies that “the guidance applies to…
California’s COVID-19 Employer Reporting Requirements Revised
On October 5, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 654 (AB 654), which expands the types of employers who are exempt from COVID-19 outbreak reporting requirements. Specifically, under AB 654, employers such as community clinics, adult day health centers, community care facilities, and child daycare facilities are exempt from COVID-19 outbreak reporting required under Assembly…