Both the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency will end on May 11, the Biden Administration announced Jan. 30.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries said COVID-19 emergency rules impacting businesses are set to end on April 1, and the agency is deciding if the rules will be renewed to May 11 to align with the federal end date. Craig Blackwood, assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety & Health, said businesses would be wise to prepare as though rules will continue until May 11.
Whether the end date is April 1 or May 11, this time frame allows businesses to plan for how to wind down to pre-pandemic regulations and means businesses must continue to comply with COVID-19 rules.
In November 2022, the Seattle Metro Chamber issued a download-and-print toolkit with reminders of the COVID-19 rules still in place for your business, and it’s a great refresher to keep you and your staff in compliance.
Here are key COVID-19 business rules that will end:
- COVID-19 exposure and outbreak reporting in the workplace
- Extra handwashing facilities and COVID-19 prevention education in the workplace
- Accommodations for high-risk employees seeking more COVID-19 protections
- Frontline workers who contract COVID-19 at work will no longer be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage
- COVID-19 outbreaks in your business may impact your L&I experience rating and may impact how much you pay to L&I
The Chamber will continue working with agencies to clarify which rules will end and will keep you informed. Until the end date is clear, do continue to comply with the rules.
