What California businesses need to know.
As vaccines are administered and case rates drop, COVID-19 mandates have been revised to accommodate the new and improved circumstances. Here is a roundup of what California businesses need to know.
California is Reopening
On June 15, 2021, Governor Newsom terminated all prior COVID-19 related executive orders, focusing now on facilitating the State’s ongoing recovery and reopening efforts.
The new public health order has limited restrictions, only related to face masks and mega events, as well as settings serving children and youth.
Restrictions that ended on June 15 include:
- Physical distancing
- Capacity limits on business and other sectors
- County tier system
Masks
As of June 15, vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks in most circumstances. People who are unvaccinated must continue to wear a mask when in indoor public settings and businesses, in order to protect themselves and others. Also, there are some settings where masks are still required for everyone, such as:
- Public transit and transportation hubs (i.e., airport, bus terminal, etc.)
- Hospitals
- Healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities
- Homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers
- State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
- Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings
See CDPH’s Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings for additional information on where masks are recommended or may be required.
Travel
California no longer has a travel advisory in effect.
However, the California Department of Public Health recommends that individuals:
- Delay travel until fully vaccinated.
- If not fully vaccinated, but choose to travel, get tested before and after.
- Regardless of vaccination status, individuals must wear a mask while on public transportation or in a transportation hub.
See CDC’s travel guidelines and read more at CDPH’s travel flyer.
Sectors that Require Additional Risk Reduction Measures
- Day Camps
- K-12 School Districts
- Overnight Organized Camps and Children’s Camps
- Mega Events
- For indoor events with 5,000 or more people, attendees must confirm proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 status prior to attendance.
- For outdoor events with 10,000 or more people, it is recommended that attendees confirm proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 status prior to attendance.
Additional Information
These public health requirements and recommendations will be reviewed and reevaluated no later than September 1, 2021.
The Order will be revised in the future to reflect State Executive Orders, Cal/OSHA worksite requirements, and State Public Health Officer Orders and guidance.
What California Employers Need to Know
On June 17, Cal/OSHA’s Board voted to adopt the revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards. The revised standards became effective the same day, pursuant to Governor Newsom’s June 17, 2021 Executive Order. The revised standards were passed to align with current State and CDC guidance.
The revisions include the following:
- Fully Vaccinated Employees:
- Do not need to be offered testing or be excluded from work after close contact unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Do not need to wear face coverings except for during outbreaks or in settings where CDPH requires them.
- Non-Vaccinated Employees:
- May request respirators for voluntary use.
- Must be offered testing by their employer if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
- Applicable To All Employees:
- Employees are not required to wear face coverings when outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.
- Employees may voluntarily wear a face covering at any time.
- Physical distancing requirements are no longer required except where an employer determines its appropriate or for certain employees during outbreaks.
- Employers:
- Employers must document the vaccination status of fully vaccinated employees if they do not wear face coverings indoors.
- 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.
Please reference Cal/OSHA’s webpage for additional information. Resources include an updated fact sheet, Frequently Asked Questions, and ETS Frequently Asked Questions.
Cal/OSHA is currently updating its model COVID-19 Prevention Program in English and Spanish and information on planned webinars hosted by its Consultation Services Branch.
Related FAQ
How does a business verify someone is vaccinated?
In settings where masks are required only for unvaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to:
- Provide information to all customers, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Require proof of vaccination.
- Require all patrons to wear masks.
Businesses may deem a customer, guest or attendee to have self-attested to being vaccinated, or to have met an approved masking exemptions, if the business has prominently displayed signage prior to entry explaining the requirements for unvaccinated individuals to wear a mask and the individual enters the business premises without wearing a mask.
How would a business provide information to their customers about mask requirements?
A business may post a sign or placard at the entrance to their business notifying customers of the mask requirements. Additionally, businesses may post such information on their website or at point of ticket sale prior to entry or notify their members of masking requirements.
Can a business require everyone to wear a mask, even those that are already vaccinated?
Yes, businesses have the option of requiring all patrons to wear a mask while in their facility or place of business, instead of verifying the vaccination status of each patron.
For more information, please reference ETS Frequently Asked Questions.
As additional guidance is issued, we will keep you informed.
