The CDC announced today that it is updating its quarantine and isolation guidance. For people with COVID-19, the isolation period was reduced from ten days to five days as long as the individual has no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after five days. Importantly, the revised isolation guidance does not recommend an individual
Fifth Circuit Hits Pause on OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine or Testing Emergency Standard
One day after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) titled “COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard”, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a nationwide stay of the OSHA ETS. Read full coverage from our Workplace Safety and Health colleagues.
Oregon Issues New Rule Requiring Vaccinations of Healthcare Workers by Mid-October
Following on the heels of an executive order by Oregon’s governor requiring full vaccination for teachers, staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools, the Oregon Health Authority issued a new rule requiring that healthcare providers and healthcare staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of October 18, 2021. Read more from our Oregon colleagues here.
Connecticut Mandates Vaccination for Employees of Broadly Defined ‘Long-Term Care Facilities’
Connecticut is requiring certain healthcare employees be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Connecticut joins other states, including Washington and Massachusetts, in mandating vaccination.
Connecticut’s Executive Order, issued on August 6, 2021, requires employees of long-term care facilities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Executive Order broadly defines “Long-term care facility.” Read about this new
California Mandates Vaccination for Workers in the Health Care Industry by September 30th
With the significant increase in COVID-19 cases, the state of California has started implementing new measures to try to combat the rise. On July 26, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order requiring covered healthcare facilities to verify the vaccination status of all workers and put mandatory testing requirements in place
Mask On? Mask Off? Mask On? What Employers Need to Know About The New CDC Guidance
The CDC is now recommending that everyone – including fully vaccinated individuals – wear masks in indoor public settings in all areas with substantial and high transmission of the COVID-19 virus and get tested following exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The new CDC guidance also recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers,
New Ohio Law Restricts Ability of Public Schools, Colleges to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations
Public schools and universities are barred from requiring vaccines that have not received full U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval under Ohio House Bill 244 (HB 244), signed by Governor Mike DeWine on July 14, 2021. The new law goes into effect on October 13, 2021. Read more about this new Ohio law here
Louisiana to Require Employers to Provide Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnancy
Beginning August 1, 2021, Louisiana employers will be required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who need such accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless it would pose an undue hardship on the employer. Read more about these developments from our Louisiana colleagues.
Nevada Expands Paid Leave Rights for Employees, Including for COVID-19 Vaccination
Since 2019, private employers with at least 50 employees have been required in most instances, pursuant to NRS 608.0197, to provide 0.01923 hours of paid leave to their employees for each hour worked. Now, Nevada has enacted new law requiring employers to provide additional paid leave to allow employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and
Understanding Time Off From Work Obligations For COVID-19 Vaccinations
Last week, President Biden encouraged employers to pay employees for time off to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and highlighted the tax credits available for employers with less than 500 employees. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) signed by the President on March 11, 2021 continued the tax credits available under the Families First