Allegheny County Workers: Get Vaccinated Or Risk Getting Fired

Pittsburgh PA

29 September, 2021

12:51 PM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — All Allegheny County employees under the control of county Executive Rich Fitzgerald must show coronavirus vaccination proof by Dec. 1, the county announced Wednesday. Those who do not meet any medical or other exception to the new policy will face termination. The edict comes on the heels on the decision in August to require all new hires to vaccinated and to require current employees who are unvaccinated to wear masks and be tested regularly for COVID-19. Based on data from the Department of Human Resources, more than 75 percent of workers under the executive branch have been vaccinated with more than 700 employees receiving vaccination following the August announcement. "As we continue to see cases of COVID in our county, and different populations being affected than were previously, it is even more important that our workforce be protected so that the public that we serve is protected as well," Fitzgerald said. Noting the health organizations at the national, state and local levels agree that vaccinations are the best way to accomplish that, Fitzgerald said, "This is the right thing for our county and our workforce." The new policy doesn't apply to employees of the county courts, county council and the independently elected offices of the controller, district attorney, sheriff and treasurer. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.