Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam implied that President Trump and federal officials are failing to provide leadership while unveiling the nation’s first safety standards for workplaces following a surge in coronavirus cases.
Northam announced Wednesday that workers in the state of Virginia can expect new safety measures to protect them from the highly contagious disease.
“BREAKING: In the absence of federal action, Virginia has just become the first state in the nation to adopt *enforceable* workplace safety standards for #COVID19,” Northam tweeted. “Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a living—especially not during a pandemic.”
BREAKING: In the absence of federal action, Virginia has just become the first state in the nation to adopt *enforceable* workplace safety standards for #COVID19.
Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a living—especially not during a pandemic.
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) July 15, 2020
The new safety standards outlined in Northam’s plan will include “frequent access” to hand sanitizer and routine cleaning of surfaces throughout office spaces. Employers will also be required to notify all employees within 24 hours if someone in the office contracts the coronavirus.
“Newly adopted standards require all employers to mandate social distancing measures and face coverings for employees in customer-facing positions and when social distancing is not possible, provide frequent access to hand washing or hand sanitizer, and regularly clean high-contact surfaces,” a representative from Northam’s office said of the new safety guidelines.
Virginia is battling a spike in coronavirus cases in the Hampton Roads area in the eastern part of the state.
