Spread of COVID-Whistleblower Legislative Protections Continues UnabatedThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was sudden and devastating, and even as the threat levels subside, the fallout endures. To be sure, the healthcare industry has long been on the forefront of battling the threat to public health posed by COVID-19. While there has been a broad and varied governmental response to the multitude... Continue Reading…June 29, 2022 |
Governor Rolls Back California COVID-19 Executive Orders & Cal/OSHA Releases Draft Permanent COVID-19 StandardOn June 17, 2022, Governor Newsom issued an executive order terminating certain provisions of prior executive orders related to Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). Some of the terminated orders were no longer necessary due to changes in the ETS. For example, previously the Governor had issued an executive order stating exclusion periods could not be longer... Continue Reading…June 23, 2022 |
Air Travelers No Longer Required to Present Negative COVID-19 TestAs of 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022, passengers flying to the United States from abroad will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test to board (or prove that they have recovered from COVID-19 within the prior 90 days). Non-U.S. citizens, including those entering on temporary visas (with limited exceptions), must still show proof that... Continue Reading…June 13, 2022 |
Four Key Takeaways from the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration Annual ConferenceThe American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) recently held an incredibly useful conference bringing together healthcare human resources leaders from around the country. Here are four key takeaways from that gathering of thought leaders. Employee Engagement Impacts Patient Care and Revenue While this may seem self-evident to those on the front lines, there also... Continue Reading…May 18, 2022 |
Cal/OSHA Releases Updated FAQs & Fact Sheets for Third Readoption of ETSAt the end of April, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to approve the Third Readoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The revised version of the ETS took effect on May 6, 2022. As promised when passed, Cal/OSHA has released updated guidance to assist with this version of the ETS that expires January 1, 2023. Cal/OSHA... Continue Reading…May 9, 2022 |
CDC Issues Further Updates to COVID-19 Guidance for Air Travelers to United StatesThere are further updates from the CDC for all air travelers. Now, most travelers will have to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 and contact information to board an airplane for the United States. As before, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those entering the United States on immigrant visas do not... Continue Reading…May 6, 2022 |
CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Air Travelers to United StatesOn April 14, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its post-arrival recommendations. Almost everyone (unless specifically exempted) who is at least 2 years old must have a negative COVID-19 test (tests include an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test) to board an airplane for the United States. Travelers fall into two... Continue Reading…May 4, 2022 |
I-9 Flexibility Extended to End of October 2022I-9 flexibility is extended until October 31, 2022, due to continuing COVID-19 precautions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance remains the same and preparing for the possible end of the flexibility is still advised. Indeed, DHS stated, “[E]mployers are encouraged to begin, at their discretion, the in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility for employees who... Continue Reading…April 28, 2022 |
Cal/OSHA Approves the Third Readoption of Cal/OSHA ETSOn April 21, 2022, Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board voted to approve the Third Readoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The third adoption makes some changes to the ETS previously in effect. Some of the more significant changes include: Elimination of the requirement that face coverings pass the “light test” (does not let light pass through... Continue Reading…April 22, 2022 |
Need to Navigate Regulatory Patchwork After Judge Strikes Down Federal COVID-19 Mask MandateWhen a district court judge in Florida lifted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) federal COVID-19 mask mandate on April 19, 2022, the Transportation Safety Administration stopped enforcing it. However, the judge’s ruling left it up to airlines and local transit agencies to decide how to respond. Many airlines immediately lifted the mandate – making... Continue Reading…April 21, 2022 |