Department of Labor and Industry Announces Revisions to Proposed Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220

On July 15, 2020, in accordance with Executive Order 63, Order of Public Health Emergency Five, Requirement to Wear Face Covering While Inside Buildings, the Safety and Health Codes Board (Board) adopted an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220.

The Board adopted the ETS under Va. Code §40.1-22(6a). The ETS became effective, July 27, 2020, when the ETS was published in full in the Richmond Times Dispatch. The ETS’ publication in the Richmond Times Dispatch also constituted notice the Board intended to adopt a permanent standard within six months of July 27, 2020.

On July 27, 2020, the Department published a proposed permanent standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220 on its website and opened up a 60-day comment forum on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall website for members of the public to register its comments on the proposed standard.

In addition, as required by Va. Code §40.1-22(6a), the Board held a public hearing on the adoption of a permanent standard on September 30, 2020 to receive comments from the public regarding the proposed standard.

Based upon the comments received during the 60 day comment period as well as those received by the Board during the September 30, 2020 public hearing, the Department has revised the proposed permanent standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220.

The Department would now like to invite the public to register its comments on the Revised Proposed Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220 prior to the Board meeting to consider its adoption as a final standard.

Please visit our website to view the revised proposed permanent standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220:

https://www.doli.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Proposed-Standard-for-COVID-19-12.10.2020.pdf

If you wish to register a public comment about the proposed permanent standard, please use the comment forum here. The forum will be open for comments from December 10, 2020 to January 9, 2021.