The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the state will move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, allowing businesses to return to usual operations (with limited exceptions for Mega Events), effective June 15, 2021.
As Californians get vaccinated, the state is on track to “fully reopen” on June 15, 2021. On May 21, 2021, the CDPH announced that California will move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy by June 15, 2021. Beginning that day, all sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart may return to “usual operations” with limited exceptions, with the following general health recommendations:
Employers should monitor and review the directives in the local jurisdictions in which they operate and adhere to more restrictive measures. Employers should also monitor the latest developments with the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS).[2]
We have developed many customizable resources to support employers’ efforts in safely returning to work. These include tracking of state and local orders on return to work requirements and essential/nonessential work; policy templates and guidelines for key topics such as social distancing procedures, temperature testing, and workplace arrangements for high-risk employees; and webinar training on safety measures for return to work. View the full list of return to work resources and consult our workplace reopening checklist.
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If you have any questions or would like more information on the issues discussed in this LawFlash, please contact any of the following Morgan Lewis lawyers:
Los Angeles
Jacqueline C. Aguilera
Kathryn T. McGuigan
Orange County
Daryl S. Landy
San Francisco
Michael D. Schlemmer
Silicon Valley
Alicia J. Farquhar
[1] On May 17, 2021, California’s Health and Human Services Secretary announced that the state will update its face mask guidance to align with the CDC’s recent guidance, effective June 15, 2021, while noting that fully vaccinated individuals still have the option to wear a face mask if they choose. As a result, the CDPH’s Guidance for Face Coverings (last updated May 3, 2021) should be updated by June 15, 2021, to align with the CDC’s guidance. Once California’s new guidance to align with the CDC’s guidance becomes effective, California businesses will be permitted to allow fully vaccinated employees to stop wearing masks indoors and in most outdoor settings, and to stop practicing social distancing.
[2] On May 20, 2021, the Cal/OSHA board delayed proposed “readoption” of the ETS in light of the new guidance the CDC issued on May 13, 2021. The Cal/OSHA board plans to conduct an emergency public meeting on June 3, 2021 to consider updated proposed language that Cal/OSHA will post publicly by May 28, 2021.