I am writing in full support of and to implore the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board to immediately adopt the emergency regulations to “control, prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace".  As a public health professional, I understand this action is an appropriate and essential move to protect the health of the Commonwealth's workers and the general public.

We will continue to be in the Covid-19 pandemic for the foreseeable future.  The mode of transmission for this virus is primarily through airborne spread in enclosed spaces (and people without symptoms are responsible for a large percentage of the spread); the longer time a person must spend in such places, the more risk they assume. 

Establishing clear requirements for employers is critical to help mitigate spread of the virus and protect workers as we reopen our businesses; it will enable workers to know what they should expect from their employers as they return to work.  It also provides safe recourse if they find themselves working in dangerous situations- they can file a complaint without fear of being retaliated against.

Our Commonwealth has successfully avoided overwhelming our health care system capacity in the past 3 months.  We should continue to lead the nation in efforts to prevent spread of COVID-19. The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board should immediately adopt the emergency regulations