The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adopted the June 11 ETS revisions. These revisions now need to go to OAL for approval and will be in effect as of June 28.

Important changes in the June 11 emergency temporary standard proposal include:

• Fully vaccinated employees do not need to be offered testing or excluded from work after close contact unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.
• Fully vaccinated employees do not need to wear face coverings except for certain situations during outbreaks and in settings where CDPH requires all persons to wear them. Employers must document the vaccination status of fully vaccinated employees if they do not wear face coverings indoors.
• Employees are not required to wear face coverings when outdoors regardless of vaccination status except for certain employees during outbreaks.
  • Fully vaccinated employees are explicitly allowed to wear a face covering without fear of retaliation from employers.
  • Physical distancing requirements have been eliminated except where an employer determines there is a hazard and for certain employees during major outbreaks.
  • Employees who are not fully vaccinated may request respirators for voluntary use from their employers at no cost and without fear of retaliation from their employers.
    • Employees who are not fully vaccinated and exhibit COVID-19 symptoms must be offered testing by their employer.
    • Employer-provided housing and transportation are exempt from the regulations where all employees are fully vaccinated.
    • Employers must review the Interim guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments.
      • Employers must evaluate ventilation systems to maximize outdoor air and increase filtration efficiency, and evaluate the use of additional air cleaning systems.

Some important requirements from the November 2020 COVID-19 Temporary Standard that remain in the June 11 emergency temporary standard proposal include:

• Employers must establish, implement, and maintain an effective written COVID-19 Prevention Program that includes:

• Identifying and evaluating employee exposures to COVID-19 health hazards.
• Implementing effective policies and procedures to correct unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
• Allowing adequate time for handwashing and cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Employers must provide effective training and instruction to employees on how COVID-19 is spread, infection prevention techniques, and information regarding COVID-19-related benefits that affected employees may be entitled to under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
• Employers must exclude employees who have COVID-19 symptoms and/or are not fully vaccinated and have had a close contact from the workplace and, if that close contact is work related, ensure continued wages.

This information can be found at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/06-16-21-ETS-Revisions.pdf

Keep California Healthy 

Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

• Get vaccinated, it's your turn now! Californians age 12 are eligible to make appointments or go to a walk-in site for vaccination.
• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches), call your health care provider.
• If you believe you have been exposed, get tested. Free, confidential testing is available statewide.
• Wear a mask when required. Read the latest face covering guidance.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Delay travel (both domestic and international) until you are fully vaccinated. Read the CDC’s full travel guidance. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home from work and school if you feel ill.
• Add your phone to the fight by signing up for COVID-19 exposure notifications from CA Notify.
• Answer the call or text if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to connect.

The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program has been activated with all participating pharmacy partners. California's current pharmacy partners are CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Albertsons, Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Topco, Cardinal, CPESN, Good Neighbor, and Health Mart. Pharmacy partners are now offering COVID-19 vaccine in their select store locations. 

Safe, free, and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available to everyone age 12 and up. Families can schedule an appointment for their 12 to 15-year-old to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in select pharmacies. Most pharmacies are accepting walk-ins, same-day appointments and second-dose only appointments. Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule an appointment and directed to Vaccines.gov or the following scheduling links below for booking:

• Albertsons
• Costco (Costco membership is not required)
• CVS
• Health Mart
• Kroger
• Rite Aid
• Walgreens
• Walmart