Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) expired in February 2025. While there is no longer a specific set of regulatory requirements for COVID-19 prevention in the workplace, employers still must maintain a safe workplace and have a written, effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) in place.

In addition, employers must continue:

  • Identifying, evaluating, and correcting any unsafe or unhealthy conditions, work practices, or work procedures that are associated with COVID-19.
  • Keeping a record of all COVID-19 cases, which includes:
    • Employee's name, contact information, and 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.

The COVID-19 Emergency regulation requires employers to record this information until February 3, 2026. These records must be maintained for two years.

Employers must keep all personal information private and provide the records to the local health department with jurisdiction over the workplace, if requested.

The new normal

The end of the emergency rules doesn’t mean the end of preventing workplace exposure to COVID-19. It just means that protecting against COVID-19 is now a regular part of keeping your workplace safe. Employers must stay alert and be ready to update their safety plans if needed. Check back with Cal/OSHA should any new developments with COVID-19 arise.