Expiration of COVID-19 Non-Emergency Standards – California

As the COVID-19 is now in an endemic phase, most of Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Non-Emergency Regulation has expired as of February 3, 2025, affecting infection control, workplace safety, and patient care policies. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements remain in effect until 2026.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements remain in effect until February 3, 2026. The requirements specify that employers must:

• 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 at least two years.
• Provide information on COVID-19 cases to the local health department with jurisdiction over the workplace, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and Cal/OSHA immediately upon request, and when required by law.

Moving Forward: Balancing Safety and Efficiency

Although the expiration of nonemergency regulations reduces some of the administrative burdens on dental practices, maintaining high infection control standards remains a priority. By staying proactive and informed, California dentists must continue to provide safe and effective care in a post-pandemic environment by:

• Maintaining a safe and healthful place of employment.
• Establishing, implementing, and maintaining an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
• Identifying, evaluating, and correcting 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.

For more information on Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 requirements, click here.

For our OSHA Review Subscribers… refer to Section I of your OSHA Review binder for information on your IIPP, including COVID-19.