Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 20, 2023, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its guidance to local health departments on the definition of a COVID-19 outbreak. The new definition changes the timeframe for counting COVID-19 cases that make up an outbreak from 14 to 7 days. The CDPH change necessitates that the definition of an outbreak for purposes
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Definition Changes Make Outbreaks Less LikelyCOVID-19
Cal/OSHA Approves Non-Emergency COVID-19 Standard In Time for the Holidays
Seyfarth Synopsis: On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (“OSHSB”) approved the long-proposed 2-year “permanent” COVID-19 standard. The new standard took effect on February 3, 2023, after final approval from the Office of Administrative Law, and replaced the current Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”).

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Among other…
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Approves Non-Emergency COVID-19 Standard In Time for the HolidaysChanges Coming to CA COVID-19 Requirements
Seyfarth Synopsis: Two big changes are on the horizon for California employers:
(1) changes to the COVID-19 general exposure notification requirements and (2) a proposed “permanent” Cal/OSHA COVID-19 standard to take effect January 1, 2023-2025.

The fall season signals change between the warmth and sun of summer and the cold and wet of winter. This year, fall also includes…
Continue Reading Changes Coming to CA COVID-19 RequirementsThird Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS Approved
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 21, 2022, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board (“Board”) voted 6-1 to approve a third adoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (“ETS”). The revised ETS will likely go into effect the first week of May and will expire on December 31, 2022.
Background
As we previously blogged, the first iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS…
Continue Reading Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS Approved
Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS is Around the Corner
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Cal/OSHA Standards Board (“Board”) has published proposed language for the third adoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (“ETS”), which will be voted on during the upcoming April 21, 2022 Board meeting. The ETS, assuming it is readopted, will expire on December 31, 2022.
Background
The first iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS took effect on…
Continue Reading Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS is Around the Corner
California Loosens Indoor Masking Requirements for the Unvaccinated
Seyfarth Synopsis: On February 28, 2022, California’s Governor Newsom issued a press release lifting California’s mask requirements for unvaccinated individuals in indoor settings, downgrading the former requirement to a strong recommendation, effective March 1, 2022. The same day, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) published updated guidance, tracking Governor Newsom’s announcement. Later on February 28, Governor …
Continue Reading California Loosens Indoor Masking Requirements for the Unvaccinated
Groundhog Day: California Reenacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
Seyfarth Synopsis: On February 9, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted the 2022 iteration of California’s COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave law. The new law will be effective Saturday February 19, 2022 (10 days after enactment). It is retroactive to January 1, 2022, and expires on September 30, 2022.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
As you may recall, California’s Supplemental Paid…
Continue Reading Groundhog Day: California Reenacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
Beat Goes On In California Though Federal ETS On Mute
Seyfarth Synopsis: As of January 14, 2022, California employers must ensure that their COVID-19 health and safety protocols are compliant with Cal/OSHA’s Latest COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards. The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the nationwide Federal OSHA ETS vaccine mandate does not impact these separate California-specific requirements, which employers must still comply with here.
Once The Rage, …
Continue Reading Beat Goes On In California Though Federal ETS On Mute
Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised and Restrictive COVID-19 ETS
Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 16, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to readopt the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) with changes that will take effect January 14, 2022. This readoption includes many changes to the current ETS, including an elimination of many of the current distinctions between vaccinated and unvaccinated workers.
Background
The first iteration of the Cal/OSHA…
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised and Restrictive COVID-19 ETS
Masking Up for the Holidays
Seyfarth Synopsis: Starting today, December 15, 2021, Californians must again mask up in public indoor spaces, regardless of their vaccination status. California’s Department of Public Health imposed this state-wide four-week mandate to curb the spread of COVID-19 over the holidays.
In the face of the Omicron variant, California announced that it is again imposing a statewide requirement for everyone,…
Continue Reading Masking Up for the Holidays