Virginia’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for workplace safety and health already is protecting Virginia workers.  But a “temporary” standard is only for six months and the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 will likely be a threat for a longer period of time.  Virginia needs a permanent standard against COVID-19. 

I live in Falls Church, in the center of an early COVID-19 hot spot in Northern Virginia, and retired and aged 70 with chronic prescription-treated asthma, have been "Staying Safer at Home" since mid-March.  But frontline workers do not have that luxury; they need to get up and out and to work every day.  Accordingly, I strongly support the passage of a permanent workplace health and safety standard on COVID-19 to support workers in the Commonwealth.

Virginia set a nation-wide precedent with its Emergency Temporary Standard, and still needs a strong permanent standard.  The proposed standard provides strong protections for workers and clear guidance for employers.  This standard will save lives, prevent COVID-19 spread and help get Virginia’s economy moving again.