Virginia: Rescinds COVID-19 Standard

Nearly two years after enacting the first-in-the-nation permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health standard, the Commonwealth voted effective March 23 to rescind mandatory face coverings and certain reporting requirements.

Previous guidelines were:

• Assess the “exposure risk level” of hazards at each place of employment

• Report to the Virginia Department of Health if two or more employees test positive for COVID-19 within 14-days

• Exclude employees from work who are known/suspected to be infected

• Notify employees when a worker is known to be infected by COVID-19

• A “face covering” must be worn over the nose and mouth by employees

Update guidelines include:

• Facilitate employees' getting vaccinated and boosted

• Encourage any workers with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home from work and seek testing / treatment from their physician.

• Provide workers with face coverings or surgical masks, as appropriate

• Encourage good sanitary work habits such as frequent hand washing

• Educate workers on COVID-19 policies and procedures

• Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths, which is mandatory under Virginia Occupational Safety & Health Administration (VOSH) regulations

Though some guidelines have been relaxed, Virginia employers are obligated to follow Virginia Occupational Safety & Health Administration (VOSH) General Duty Clause, "to provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm."   VOSH can continue to inspect and cite employers for COVID-19-related safety concerns.