The Virginia Wholesalers and Distributors Association (VWDA) is submitting opposition comment on the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s recommended 16 VAC 25-220, Emergency Temporary Standard/Emergency Regulation, Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 (collectively, the “Regulations”). 

VWDA is the statewide business trade group representing the interests of corporations and individuals involved in the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of convenience and grocery store products.   These product lines include hundreds of different health and safety products being distributed Statewide.

VWDA members will be directly affected by the attempt to apply “one size fits all” COVID-19 Regulations to all businesses in the Commonwealth.  As VWDA members currently must navigate Federal, State and local regulations regarding health and safety, these proposed new regulations will create conflict, confusion and uncertainty within the marketplace. 

VWDA and its members are committed to protecting employees, contractors, suppliers, and communities from COVID-19 infection.  Codifying guidance is not a reasonable replacement for regulation and therefore requests that you reject the proposed regulations.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeff Smith

Executive Vice-President