Of some concern to emergency responders, however, the act says, “In any case in which the Secretary determines that, wholly or partially as a result of a public health emergency that has been determined pursuant to section 319(a), individuals or public or private entities are unable to comply with the requirements of this part, the Secretary may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, temporarily suspend, in whole or in part, the requirements of this part as the circumstances reasonably require.”
Another provision requires the HHS secretary to, within 180 days, develop a list of the “potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, including emerging infectious diseases, to which emergency response employees may be exposed in responding to emergencies.” The list would be used to determine whether an exposure notification is required.