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 LikelyCalifornia 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
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
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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,
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COVID-19 Exposure Notification Requirements Coming To A Workplace Near You
Seyfarth Synopsis: As California’s legislative session comes to an end, a wave of new COVID-19 related laws that impact employers are being signed into law. On September 17, 2020, Governor Newsom signed AB 685, which will require employers to provide specific notices to employees exposed to COVID-19 within one business day of becoming aware of the exposure, and impacts
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California Issues New Statewide Closure Orders Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases
Seyfarth Synopsis: Effective July 13, 2020, California issued statewide restrictions on a number of business operations due to the resurgence of COVID-19. It ordered all bars to close for indoor and outdoor service, as well as indoor services for restaurants, wineries, and movie theaters. The State also closed fitness centers, non-essential offices, places of worship, hair salons, personal care
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‘Cause Baby, There’s No Fireworks: California Rolls Back Reopenings
Seyfarth Synopsis: Two weeks after issuing a statewide face covering mandate, and just days after ordering seven counties to shut down bars, Governor Newsom made the decision to re-close the indoor operations of several sectors in 19 counties in an attempt to flatten the spike in new California COVID-19 cases.
As summer began and businesses across California started to
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Nothing Comes Close To The Golden Coast: California Requires Masks
Seyfarth Synopsis: As counties begin loosening local restrictions and summer approaches, and in an effort to preempt a rise in COVID-19 cases, the California Department of Public Health issued a directive mandating that residents statewide wear face coverings.
Before today, California only recommended that residents wear face coverings as a precautionary measure with COVID-19, and the State left it in
Continue Reading Nothing Comes Close To The Golden Coast: California Requires Masks