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In this fast-changing regulatory environment, owners and managers need the most up-to-date laws and rules relating to COVID-19. Included in this section are the latest protocols and orders, guidelines and links to government websites.
STATE IMPLEMENTS FULL REOPENING OF THE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY
Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health have laid out new rules regarding protections from COVID-19 that took effect June 15th. Cal/OSHA subsequently passed new guidance for workplaces that mirrors the Department of Public Health Order, which went into effect June 17th. See the section below on Cal/OSHA.
The state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, with its colored tier system, is now replaced by these new rules.
Key points in the law include:
- Fully vaccinated persons no longer will be required to wear masks in most public settings and workplaces.
- Physical distancing in workplaces is no longer required.
- Unvaccinated persons must still wear masks (with some health and safety exceptions).
- Masks will continue to be required:
- For events with over 5000 attendees;
- On public transit such as airports, trains and buses;
- For schools and childcare settings.
- Unvaccinated workers still need to wear mask unless they are alone or eating.
- The new rules would also mandate employers provide N95 respirators for unvaccinated employees.
Additional policies for business include:
- Elimination of capacity limits on retail stores and restaurants, as well as most other industries.
- Businesses are not required to check vaccination status of patrons.
- However, businesses can require vaccination status under the new rules or can require all entrants to wear masks.
While many of the requirements are lifted, the Governor announced he still retains emergency powers to respond should there be a resurgence of the coronavirus. This also means LA County and City eviction moratoria on tenant evictions still stand.
“CAL/OSHA ISSUES CHANGES TO COVID-19 PREVENTION EMERGENCY TEMPORARY STANDARDS (ETS)”
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) oversees safety in most workplaces across the state. On June 17th, the Cal/OSHA Board approved emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 infection prevention, and the Governor issued an emergency order for the rules to take effect immediately.
For a summary of the key elements of the new regulations, click here.
GOVERNMENT ORDER
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REVISES COVID-19 PROTOCOLS TO ALIGN WITH NEW STATE ORDERS
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health order on June 15th rescinds most of the LA County Department of Public Health sector-specific protocols and aligns with the State Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business sectors, and the accompanying orders from the State Public Health Officer.
GOVERNMENT ORDER
CITY OF LOS ANGELES UPDATES SAFER LA ORDER
As of June 17th, Los Angeles County the City of Los Angeles has aligned its Safer at Home order with State and County guidance.
GOVERNMENT ORDER
LONG BEACH SAFER AT HOME HEALTH ORDER AND PROTOCOLS
The City of Long Beach has continued to update its Safer at Home order, with its most recent update May 5th, 2021. Below is the updated order, as well as the updated appendices to the order for office, retail, and restaurants.
GOVERNMENT ORDER
PASADENA TRANSITIONS TO YELLOW TIER
Effective June 14th, 2021, the City of Pasadena Department of Public Health issued an Order to Comply and align with the California Department of Public Health’s guidance on face coverings and social distancing. The City also updated reopening protocols for Office, Retail and Restaurants.
All other cities in Los Angeles County have aligned their orders to parallel State and County guidance, including cities whose resources we have provided throughout the COVID-19 emergency such as Culver City, Burbank, and Glendale.
COMMERCIAL EVICTION MORATORIUMS
Since early March, 2020, many jurisdictions have enacted orders prohibiting commercial and residential landlords from evicting tenants due to an inability to pay rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are the links to each city and the county’s eviction moratoriums, with the date the order is set to expire, if any. Cities may extend these orders at any time. All cities without their own eviction moratorium are automatically subject to impose LA County's Moratorium.
Los Angeles County- Expires September 30, 2021 unless extended.
City of Los Angeles - Remains in effect until emergency order is lifted.
Beverly Hills - Remains in effect until another ordinance is passed.
Burbank - Order was extended to March 31, 2021. No update.
Glendale - On May 12th, 2020, the eviction ordinance was extended indefinitely until the emergency order is lifted.
Pasadena - Remains in effect until emergency order is lifted.
Santa Monica - Order expires September 30, 2021 but can be extended.
CALIFORNIA HEALTH DEPT. GUIDELINES FOR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
These guidelines are no longer in effect after June 17, 2021, per the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA.
LAFD ISSUES A NOTICE REGARDING FIRE/LIFE SAFETY EQUIPMENT TESTING
The Los Angeles Fire Department has informed BOMA/GLA that it has issued a notice that all buildings with fire/life safety equipment should be tested according to their regular maintenance schedule during the coronavirus epidemic. They cite maintaining the safety of building occupants and building equipment as the reason for the policy. This is also in adherence to the recent National Fire Protection Association Guidance. While testing continues, however, the Department expects testing companies and owners to take whatever precautions are necessary to ensure social distancing, environmental cleaning, and handwashing as per Mayor Garcetti's order.
CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN FOR LOS ANGELES DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
This plan, issued November of 2020, covers operations of Building and Safety, Fire and Planning Departments. It outlines both online and in-person services.