Yesterday, President Biden announced his plan to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a rule in response to two executive orders. The new rule will require all private employers with at least 100 employees to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or require unvaccinated workers to show a negative test at least once a week.  Companies that fail to comply with the standard could face fines of $14,000.00 per violation.   Additionally, vaccinations will be required for health care providers that accept Medicare and Medicaid; all federal employees and contractors; and staffs of Head Start Programs, Department of Defense Schools, and Bureau of Indian Education-operated schools.  The new rule is expected to have limited disability and religious exceptions due to the federal employee vaccine requirement.  

However, the mandate does not cover state employees or school district employees.  Once OSHA issues the new rule, we will provide you with updated information.  Today, SC Labor, Licensing, and Regulation issued a statement, which is accessible online.

In other news, the U.S. Department of Education issued this press release yesterday announcing a grant program for school districts relating to COVID-19 safety measures.  

If you have questions about this legal alert, please contact our office.  We will strive to continue updating our clients and friends during the pandemic as questions arise.