Workers need both respect and protection for safety and health in their workplaces across the Commonwealth. The Temporary Standard/Emergency Regulation 16 VAC 25-220 is appropriately thorough in addressing many issues of concern to workers (through out the workplace structure/levels and system/processes).
One area of possible ambiguity - that may require clarification - may be to more fully, with great detail, and perhaps some examples - regards 'suspected' disease/infectiousness. The draft appears to tie this status to observable symptoms. But the public may be confused, and the science may be not yet perfect, about infectiousness and observable symptoms.
Additionally here:
QUOTE
Employers shall develop and implement policies and procedures for employees to report when they are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.39 Such employees shall be designated by the employer as “suspected COVID-19”
UNQUOTE
the regulations may need to address other-reporting not only self-reporting. For example: when another worker, a worker's family member, a community member reports observed symptoms in worker, with or without confirmation. How should a workplace treat and handle such reports? Additionally how would a workplace treat and handle an anonymous report?
Cases would include: a co-worker stating that another co-worker is coughing, a customer or consumer reporting that a worker is sneezing, has a runny nose, etc.
Thank you for considering all Virginia workers with respectful and protective care.