Virginia Becomes First State To Issue Workplace Safety Standards For Employers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Gov. Ralph Northam has issued statewide emergency workplace safety standards, making Virginia the first state to impose coronavirus safety measures on employers.

The safety rules are designed to protect Virginia workers by requiring personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, response plans, record keeping, training and hazard communication across businesses in the state.

“Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a living, especially during an ongoing global pandemic,” Northam said. “In the face of federal inaction, Virginia has stepped up to protect workers from COVID-19, creating the nation’s first enforceable workplace safety requirements.

“Keeping Virginians safe at work is not only a critical part of stopping the spread of this virus, it’s key to our economic recovery and it’s the right thing to do,” Northam added.

The workplace standards now make it a requirement for employers to mandate social distancing measures and face masks for all employees who are in positions that require physical proximity to customers. If social distancing is not possible, access to hand washing, hand sanitizer and regular cleaning must be provided.

Employees must also be notified within 24 hours if a coworker tests positive for COVID-19. Employees who test positive for the coronavirus cannot return to work for 10 days or until they have received two consecutive negative virus tests.

The order was approved in an 9-2 vote on Wednesday by the state’s Safety and Health Codes Board. The order is expected to take effect within the next few weeks.

Virginia has 73,527 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with 1,992 deaths from COVID-19, according to John Hopkins University.