On July 15, 2020, Virginia became the first state in the nation
to implement an emergency temporary standard ("ETS") to
address the COVID-19 pandemic. The ETS covers every employer in the
Commonwealth and includes mandatory requirements for all employers
(with additional requirements for workplaces with certain exposure
risk levels), training and leave requirements, and an
anti-discrimination provision.
The ETS will take effect the week of July 27, 2020 on a date to
be determined. Once in effect, employers will have 30 days to
comply with the training requirements on the ETS and 60 days to
comply with the training requirements on the employer's
infectious disease preparedness and response plan
("Plan").
