Cal/OSHA Approves Updated Workplace Masking and Other Rules
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No Masks Required for Fully Vaccinated Individuals at Work: The state is not requiring that fully vaccinated individuals wear face coverings while at work.
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Masks Required for Unvaccinated Individuals at Work: The state is mandating that unvaccinated individuals wear face coverings while at work. They may remove face coverings while alone in a room or vehicle, when eating/drinking, and when performing specific tasks that cannot be feasibly performed with a face covering.
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No More Physical Distancing Requirements: Physical distancing requirements are removed.
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Updated Standards for Face Coverings: "Face coverings" must now be "a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers." The following do not meet the new standard: scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, bandanas, turtlenecks, collars, or single-layer fabric face coverings.
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Employers Must Provide Face Coverings Upon Request: Employees can request face coverings from their employer at no cost to the employee.
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Employers Must Document Employees' Vaccination Status: Employers must document that employees have received or not received a vaccine. Employers must keep this information confidential, and employers may not discriminate against employees who are not vaccinated. An employee who declines to share their vaccination status shall be treated as an unvaccinated employee.
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Employer COVID-19 Prevention Plans Remain: These previously-required written plans are still required.
The face covering rules do not apply to employees working from home, workplaces where there is only one person, or employees teleworking from a location not under the control of the employer.
Counties are allowed to adopt stricter face covering rules that those mandated by the state and Cal/OSHA. However, Ventura County officials have stated they are not planning to adopt any stricter rules at this time.
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