California Orders All Healthcare Workers To Be Fully Vaccinated By Sept. 30

San Diego CA

06 August, 2021

4:25 PM

Description

By City News Service, Times of San Diego August 5, 2021 All workers in healthcare facilities across California will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 under a revised order issued Thursday by the state Department of Public Health. The state had previously announced that workers in healthcare settings had the option of either being vaccinated or undergoing weekly COVID- 19 testing. The new order eliminates the testing option and mandates vaccinations. "As we continue to see an increase in cases and hospitalizations due to the delta variant of COVID-19, it's important that we protect the vulnerable patients in these settings," Dr. Tomas J. Aragon, CDPH director and state public health officer, said in a statement. "Today's action will also ensure that healthcare workers themselves are protected. Vaccines are how we end this pandemic," he said. Under the order, all workers in healthcare settings must be fully vaccinated or receive their second dose of vaccine by Sept. 30. The state issued a companion order Thursday directing all hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities to verify that visitors are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID within 72 hours of an indoor visit. Similar rules are expected to be issued later for visitors at long- term care facilities. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.