Cal/OSHA Votes To Let Vaccinated People To Be Maskless At Work!

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health aka Cal/OSHA met yesterday to discuss the update to rules for masks and social distancing in the workplace. The agency came up with the conclusion to allow vaccinated workers to be able to go maskless. Under these new rules, employers will have to verify the vaccination status of workers before allowing them to work mask-less. However, employees will be allowed to simply “self-attest” that they are vaccinated.

If you're not vaccinated, Cal/OSHAwill require employers to have N95 masks or respirators available for those who want one, or they can still wear their own face covering. Here are the new guidelines for the workplace:

• Employers may allow vaccinated employees to work without face coverings indoors, but they must document workers’ vaccination status. That documentation process allows workers to either show written proof of vaccination, such as a CDC vaccine card, or to “self-attest” that they are vaccinated without providing documentation.
• Workers can decline to state if they are vaccinated or not. However, they will be treated as if they are unvaccinated.
• Unvaccinated workers must wear masks indoors, unless alone in a room or vehicle. Employers must make approved respirators, such as an N95 mask, available for unvaccinated workers if they request them.
• No face coverings are required outdoors unless there is an outbreak.
• If there is a COVID outbreak, masks will be mandated for all workers indoors, and outdoors if six-foot physical distancing can’t be maintained.
• No physical distancing or barriers between workers are required, regardless of employees’ vaccination status, although employers can re-evaluate the need if an outbreak occurs. Distancing and barriers will be mandated if a “major outbreak” of 20 or more cases occurs.
• Fully vaccinated workers with no COVID symptoms do not need to be tested or quarantined after they are exposed to the virus.
• Employees cannot face retaliation for wearing a mask, even if they are not required to do so.

What do you think about this decision?

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