Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced new COVID-19 (coronavirus) booster requirements, calling for health care workers and all employees in high-risk congregate settings, including nursing homes, to receive their vaccine booster shots by February 1, 2022. In the meantime, health care workers who haven’t yet received their boosters must test twice weekly. The announcement from the Governor’s office explains that these boosters will “mitigate potential staffing shortages while helping to safeguard the state’s hospital capacity and protect the health and safety of Californians.” Details are captured in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)’s State Public Health Officer Order, Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirement (December 22, 2021).
As we previously reported, an order from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), on August 5, 2021, required workers in health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings (such as adult and senior care facilities) to be vaccinated, receiving their final dose by September 30, 2021. Workers with a religious belief or medical condition must sign a declination form to claim an exemption, with unvaccinated workers required to test weekly and don the appropriate personal protective equipment. On September 28, 2021, the CDPH expanded the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements to include even more health care workers, which we reported on here.
Tips: If you have health care workers, including those in high-risk congregate settings, adult and senior care facilities, or in-home direct care settings, you should begin collecting proof of vaccine boosters from your employees and implementing twice weekly testing for those who haven’t yet received their boosters. Contact your Vigilant Law Group employment attorney with questions.
