Earlier this week, the California Department of Public Health
(CDPH)
announced that the state will end COVID-19 policies that
require weekly testing for unvaccinated individuals in high-risk
workplaces and schools. The
State Public Health Officer Order, which goes into effect on
Saturday, September 17, is intended to align with recent federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
guidance released last month.
Although the newest order rescinds testing requirements for
unvaccinated workers, the state encourages healthcare facilities,
schools, and other high-risk workplaces to maintain onsite
testing and the ability to ramp up onsite testing in the event of
future outbreaks.
The new order does not remove vaccination and booster
requirements for covered employees, nor does it change employers’
obligations to track worker vaccination or exemption status.
However, the order does update the timing of required booster
doses to align with CDC recommendations. CDPH has also updated
their
Public Health Order Questions & Answers webpage to reflect
the upcoming changes.
