Following a unanimous vote from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Worker Safety Board meeting, Virginia will remove COVID-19 workplace restrictions.
Set to begin as early as this week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin applauded the board’s decision, as it reflected the executive orders he issued on his first day in office, and saying it signals a return to normalcy.
“Businesses asked us for updated workplace guidance to reflect our current COVID-19 situation in Virginia. We are pleased with the board’s move and this vote signals that a return to normalcy in Virginia is not a partisan issue. We’re going to continue providing greater certainty and decision-making power to businesses and workers in the Commonwealth as we move beyond the pandemic. With the removal of these regulations, it is undeniable that Virginia is open for business.”
“Because the COVID-19 vaccine and booster reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from the COVID-19 virus, this guidance specifically recommends, but does not mandate, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for workers.”
Employers have the legal right to adopt safety and health workplace rules for employees that are more stringent than the guidance per the Code of Virginia. The guidelines recommend that employers are encouraged to “facilitate” employees getting vaccinated and boosted. The full list of guidelines can be found here.