On December 30, 2020, Governor Newsom issued a new framework for schools so that school districts can reopen or continue operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s “Safe Schools for All Plan”, is based on increasing scientific evidence that the correct precautions can stop the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The Governor and
COVID-19
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) Updates Guidance Concerning the Permissibility of Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations
By Peter J. Brown & Alexander Volberding on
On December 16, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated existing guidance in order to address COVID-19 vaccinations.[1] In addition to discussing vaccinations in the context of equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) laws, the guidance also discusses the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FD&C Act”), a law outside of the EEOC’s jurisdiction that nevertheless provides a…
Governor Issues Executive Order Revising Cal/OSHA Quarantine Guidance and Addressing Other COVID-19 Related Issues
This article was reviewed January 2021 and the information is up-to-date.
On December 14, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-84-20 (the “Order”), addressing a number of issues related to COVID-19 and the present public health emergency.
In this bulletin, we address several issues of significant importance to employers, including revisions to the quarantine…
Responding to COVID-19 Outbreaks
By Peter J. Brown & Alexander Volberding on
On November 19, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (“OSHSB”) issued a series of new regulations related to COVID-19, which are set forth in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations (“C.C.R.”) Sections 3205 through 3205.4 (“Cal/OSHA regulations”). While employers have rightfully focused on their obligation under Section 3205 to adopt and…
CDPH Reduces Quarantine Period Following “Close Contact” Exposures to Align with CDC Guidance
By Peter J. Brown & Alexander Volberding on
On December 7, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued updated guidance concerning the recommended quarantine period for individuals following a “close contact” exposure to someone with COVID-19. This guidance now aligns with comparable advice provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) on the same subject on December 2.
Now, both…
CDPH Reduces Quarantine Period Following “Close Contact” Exposures to Align with CDC Guidance, but Public School Districts and Community College Districts Must Follow Stricter Guidance Requiring 14-Day Quarantine
On December 7, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued updated guidance concerning the recommended quarantine period for individuals following a “close contact” exposure to someone with COVID-19. The CDPH guidance now aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) guidance issued on the same subject on December 2.
Now, both the…
Permissibility of Requiring that Employees at Public School and Community College Districts Receive the COVID-19 Vaccination
By Meredith Karasch & Pilar Morin on
Given the recent news coverage concerning COVID-19 vaccines and the government’s distribution plan for such vaccines, many of our clients have inquired whether it will be permissible to require school and community college district employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. This question is important from a public health perspective, complicated from a legal one, and almost…
Permissibility of Requiring that Public Employees Receive a COVID-19 Vaccination
By Peter J. Brown & Alexander Volberding on
Posted in COVID Briefing, Employment
Given the recent news coverage concerning COVID-19 vaccines and the government’s distribution plan for such vaccines, many of our public agency clients have inquired whether it will be permissible to require that agency employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. This question is important from a public health perspective, complicated from a legal one, and almost certain…
CDC Reduces Recommended Quarantine Period Following “Close Contact” Exposures to Individuals with COVID-19
By Peter J. Brown & Alexander Volberding on
On December 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued updated guidance concerning the recommended quarantine period for individuals following a “close contact” exposure to someone with COVID-19. The guidance reduces the recommended quarantine period from 14 days to either 10 days or seven days, depending on whether the individual tested negative for…
Cal/OSHA Board Adopts Emergency Regulations Regarding COVID-19
By Peter J. Brown & Alexander Volberding on
On November 19, 2020, pursuant to emergency rulemaking authority, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (“OSHSB”) adopted temporary regulations regarding measures that all employers must undertake in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace (“emergency regulations”).
The emergency regulations take effect today, November 30, 2020, and apply to all employers…