The California Retailers Association is responding to new workplace regulations passed by the Cal/OSHA Standards Board and expedited by a subsequent executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"When do these emergency regulations end? Like, what is their exit strategy?" said Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association.
The association said in a press release that actions are "a step in the right direction," but there is still more work to be done.
In its latest revisions, Cal/OSHA aligns with the latest guidance from the California Department of Public Health, as described in a press release.
These new regulations are based on guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on things such as face coverings and eliminating physical distancing requirements, except for certain employees during outbreaks, the release details.
Unless showing symptoms, fully vaccinated employees do not need to be offered testing or be excluded from work after close contact with a COVID-19-positive person, the new regulations say.
The California Retailers Association said that the state's standard continues to raise questions related to privacy, liability and duration of the standards.
"When you don't really know where someone is getting COVID, it shouldn't necessarily fall on the businesses to be liable for it," Michelin said.
Additionally, she said unemployment benefits are causing an issue for businesses getting employees.
"We've also asked the governor in particular on the unemployment benefits to start scaling those back, because you don't have enough people applying for these jobs. I mean, everywhere you go, there's a help wanted sign," Michelin said.