In an effort to encourage businesses to reopen in the wake of the COVI-19 pandemic, states are enacting laws that give certain employers immunity from civil lawsuits brought by employees or customers who might allege that they were exposed to or contracted the virus due to some action or inaction by the business. Currently, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah , and Wyoming have some type of COVID-19 immunity law on the books, with states like Arizona, Louisiana, and Ohio positioned to pass similar bills in the near future.

While these laws vary, most provide that businesses who follow published COVID-19 government guidance will be immune from lawsuits, so long as their conduct doesn’t rise to the level of gross negligence or could be considered willful. Note, however, that several states have chosen to grant this immunity only to certain employers, such as those in the restaurant or health care industries.