California has updated its COVID workplace recommendations. Effective June 15, both indoor and outdoor co-workers must all wear masks unless everyone is fully vaccinated.  The state’s Board of Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, announced the update after weeks of delay and multiple votes. California was expected to lift its mask mandates for the workplace. It currently has the lowest COVID test-positivity rate in the nation.

There are also adjustments to social distancing and self-isolation protocols relating to the workplace. Click here to read the state’s official news release. The Cal/OSHA Committee has noted these new guidelines are a stop-gap to more loosened protocols in the coming weeks or months.

The new rules differ from CDC Guidelines, which allow fully vaccinated individuals to go mask-free. State guidelines supersede Federal protocols.

Also, Governor Newsom has announced his intent to maintain California’s State of Emergency beyond the expected June 15 end date. “(The disease) is not taking the summer off”, he observed at a press conference Friday, noting that he wants to leave the option open to adjust guidelines if needed. When asked by the media about the muddy nature  of Cal/OSHA’s workplace guidelines, he stated “the dust is still settling”.

The governor’s actions haven’t gone unnoticed in the legislature. Three members have drafted a letter to Newsom citing Section 8629 of the California Emergency Services Act, which states he must rescind the State of Emergency ‘at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant’. You can read their letter here.