We’re told that California is reopening for business on June 15th. What exactly does this mean? Here are some take-aways:
• Physical distancing and capacity limitations are eliminated for customers, clients, attendees, guests and patrons.
• Vaccination or a negative test is required for indoor mega events.
• Masking is not required for fully-vaccinated persons except for public transportation, K-12 schools and childcare, healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, and homeless, emergency or cooling centers. Persons younger than two, with medical conditions, or hearing impaired are exempted from the mask requirement.
The rules for workers differ from the rules for persons patronizing California businesses. Under Cal/OSHA’s proposed COVID-19 Standards, as revised on June 12, 2021, two of the more important provisions are:
• The physical distancing requirement has been eliminated for most purposes. Distancing is required, however, when workers have been exposed to a COVID-19 case.
• Employees who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear face coverings. The employer must provide masks to all other employees working indoors and, in a vehicle, and make sure the masks are worn properly.
• The employer is not required to provide workers with a respirator. But if an unvaccinated employee who works indoors chooses to wear one, the employer must provide it and ensure it is the correct size.
These Standards won’t go into effect unless the Standards Board approves them on June 17th.
Doug Larsen
Fishman, Larsen & Callister
559.256.5000
