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ADVISORY
Release Number: 2025-14
Date: February 4, 2025

Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-emergency Standards end as of February 2025

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is advising employers that most of its COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards ended this week. Cal/OSHA’s regulations took effect February 3, 2023, and remained in effect for two years, except for the reporting and recordkeeping requirements, which remain in effect until 2026.  

Although there is no longer a specific set of regulatory requirements relating to COVID-19 prevention in the workplace, employers in California must still:   

  • Maintain a safe and healthful place of employment as required by Labor Code section 6400. 
  • Establish, implement, and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) as required by Title 8, California Code of Regulations, section 3203.  
  • Identify, evaluate, and correct any unsafe or unhealthy conditions, work practices, or work procedures associated with COVID-19 if they identify COVID-19 as a workplace hazard at their place of employment. 

 COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements (Title 8 Subsection 3205(j)) remain in effect until February 3, 2026. The requirements specify that the employer: 

  • Keep a record of and track all COVID-19 cases with the employee's name, contact information, occupation, location where the employee worked, the date of the last day at the workplace, and the date of the positive COVID-19 test and/or COVID-19 diagnosis.  
    • These records must be retained for two years beyond the period in which the record is necessary to meet the requirements of this section.   
  • Provide information on COVID-19 cases to the local health department with jurisdiction over the workplace, CDPH, Cal/OSHA, and NIOSH immediately upon request, and when required by law. 

More information is available on Cal/OSHA’s webpage under Archived COVID-19 Guidance and Resources. 

Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: InfoCons@dir.ca.gov, or call your local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office. 

About Cal/OSHA 

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.  

Workers in California are protected regardless of immigration status. Workers who have questions about safety and health in the workplace can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a live bilingual Cal/OSHA representative between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices. 

Media Contact:  Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161 

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