COVID-19

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At the end of July, the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) released guidance to assist with the safe reopening of businesses in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance covers the following topics:

  • Employer Obligations to Keep the Workplace and Employees Safe
  • Face Coverings
  • Medical Checks
  • Returning to the Worksite
  • Waivers of Liability

The…

To assist with protecting the essential workers who work in the agricultural industry, California’s Department Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal OSHA”) issued updated guidance on coronavirus (“COVID-19”) infection prevention procedures for employers in the agricultural industry.

While the guidance does not impose new legal obligations on employers, the guidance is meant…

Despite California’s recent statewide closures for indoor operations at restaurants, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, wineries, and closures for select hospitality businesses across more than 30 counties, Oakland passed a new right to reemployment ordinance. Like the Los Angeles ordinance, Oakland’s Ordinance is limited to industries related to certain hospitality operations, such…

On April 16, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-51-20, (“Executive Order”) which provides COVID-19 related paid sick leave for “food sector workers” who work for larger employers in the state. The California legislature is now considering codifying those leave requirements with Senate Bill 729.

Read the full article on the…

Sacramento has passed the Sacramento Worker Protection, Health and Safety Act (Ordinance No. 2020-00260) which is effective as of July 15, 2020.

The ordinance requires all employers operating in the City of Sacramento to comply with certain specified safety practices and protocols, many of which are recommended by the California Department of Public…

On July 13, 2020, the State of California announced that, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the following industries must close indoor operations on a statewide basis:

  • Restaurants
  • Wineries and tasting rooms
  • Movie theaters
  • Family entertainment centers
  • Zoos and museums
  • Cardrooms

Bars, breweries, and pubs are required to close all operations (indoor…

While many counties around California moved into accelerated reopening, San Francisco County set its own pace. Though San Francisco has paused some reopening for now, as COVID-19 infection rates change, additional businesses will eventually be permitted to reopen.

San Francisco created detailed requirements for businesses, whether essential or otherwise, to follow during the…