On March 22, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reopened the comment period on its proposed final rule to protect health care workers from COVID-19, indicating that the department is considering relaxing some of the standards from what it initially recommended.

All but the record-keeping requirements of the ETS for health care workers—a standard that was introduced in June 2021—expired in December 2021. OSHA is now seeking to implement a final rule.

Individuals interested, may submit https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2020-0004/commentswritten comments online by the deadline of April 22, 2022. OSHA will hold a virtual hearing regarding its interim final rule on April 27. If necessary, the hearing will continue on subsequent days, the agency said.