As California works to finalize a permanent COVID-19 worker protection rule, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health declined to include a provision in the rule requiring employers to pay workers who take virus-related time off.

CalOSHA says that there is not enough time to revise the rule and allow for additional public comments before the current temporary rule expires on Dec. 31. The permanent rule will cover most California workers, except for health care employees, who are protected by a separate regulation.