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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — New Masking Requirements for Businesses

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NEW MASKING REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESSES
Review the new requirements and regional information below to help protect your employees and customers.
Current Requirements for Businesses
UPDATED: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
CDC is now recommending masking based on “COVID-19 Community Level.” Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Indoor masking is only recommended universally if the Community Level is high. This information can be tracked HERE.
UPDATED: California Department of Public Health (CDPH):
On March 1, 2022, the requirement that unvaccinated individuals mask in indoor public settings moved to a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccine status, continue indoor masking. Universal masking shall remain required in specified high-risk settings. CLICK HERE for more information on required masking areas.
After March 11, 2022, the universal masking requirement for K-12 and Childcare settings will terminate. CDPH strongly recommends that individuals in these settings continue to mask in indoor settings when the universal masking requirement lifts. CLICK HERE for more information.
UPDATED: Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention – Emergency Temporary Standards
Employers are still required to comply with Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention – Emergency Temporary Standards requirements. Starting March 1, 2022, masks were no longer required for unvaccinated workers indoors, consistent with the updated CDPH guidance, but will be strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor settings.
For now, masking in the following scenarios will continue across the state:
  • When Employees Voluntarily Wear a Mask.
  • When There Has Been a Close Contact in the Workplace.
  • When an Employer Chooses to Implement Their Own Masking.
  • When a Local Masking Order Requires Masking. See updated county information below.
Information by County:
  • UPDATED: Ventura County: In alignment with the State’s masking policy, the County of Ventura will follow the state’s recommendations for masking. CLICK HERE for more information.
  • UPDATED: Santa Barbara County: In alignment with the State’s masking policy, the County of Santa Barbara will follow the state’s recommendations for masking. CLICK HERE for more information.
  • UPDATED: Los Angeles County: In alignment with the State’s masking policy, the County of Los Angeles will follow the state’s recommendations for masking. CLICK HERE for more information.
Resources
  • Looking for PPE Supplies? PPE Unite is a public and private partnership program creates access to PPE, promotes PPE use and provides additional resources for businesses. We encourage our local businesses to learn more about accessing PPE HERE.
  • Fisher Phillips: The EDC partners with attorneys from Fisher Phillips to produce our quarterly legal update webinars.
  • Access their COVID-19 Resource Center for free CLICK HERE
  • For individual guidance you can contact:
  • Hannah Sweiss, hsweiss@fisherphillips.com, 213.330.4497
  • Aymara Ledezma, aledezma@fisherphillips.com, 213.330.4470
  • Cal/OSHA Resources:
  • Resources Homepage CLICK HERE
  • Industry Guidance CLICK HERE
  • Consultation Services CLICK HERE
  • FREE on-site visits and telephone support from Cal/OSHA representatives for employers and employees. Get started by calling 800.963.9424 or email infocons@dir.ca.gov.
  • Safer at Work COVID-19 Employer Portal: Employers and employees can access customized guidance by industry. CLICK HERE
  • EDC COVID-19 Business Resource Page: Stay up-to-date on local, state and federal resources related to the pandemic by visiting our page regularly CLICK HERE.
Looking for NO-COST Business Consulting Services?
The EDC SBDC call team and experienced advisors are available to answer questions and help you navigate today’s complex business environment. The Economic Development Collaborative hosts the Small Business Development Center and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Signing up as a client takes just a few minutes and provides you with lifetime access to all of our no-cost services.
Get started today with no-cost consulting by calling our
Business Assistance Line at 805.409.9159.
Resources and advising are available in English and Spanish.
Access our Loan Program by calling 805.409.9497.
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This document is intended to be used as a starting point to help business owners understand federal, state and local and Cal/OSHA COVID-19 requirements. It is not comprehensive. While everything this article is intended to be accurate it is not intended legal advice and should not be relied on as such. To obtain legal advice please contact a licensed California attorney. The EDC does not endorse a particular law firm or practice.