Mask on...Mask off...
Another CA Department Of Public Health Update!

- Mask Mandate Lifted for Most Indoor Settings -

Alert #71 - Published March 2, 2022
Effective March 1, 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has changed the requirement that unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask in indoor public settings, to wearing masks are “strongly recommended” for all persons regardless of vaccination status.

CDPH February 28, 2022 Guidance:
Read the notice by clicking here.
Coinciding with this update, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order updating the Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) to adopt CDPH’s face covering requirements as noted above. Cal/OSHA in turn updated the ETS FAQ’s on March 1, 2022.

Cal/OSHA ETS March 1, 2022 FAQ’s:
Read the most current version here.
OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS

  • For those eligible to return from a quarantine or isolation with a negative test on day 5 or later, masks are still required for the full 10 days as outlined in CDPH’s Isolation and Quarantine FAQ’s. 

  • Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings such as public transit, emergency/homeless shelters, healthcare settings, correctional/detention centers, long term care settings, and adult/senior care facilities.

  • After March 11, 2022, the universal masking requirement for K-12 and Childcare settings will terminate. However, CDPH “strongly recommends” that individuals in these settings continue to mask in indoor settings when the universal masking requirement lifts. Employers should continue to be aware of their Local County Health Departments as some may continue masking requirements, regardless of vaccination status or only for those who are fully vaccinated.

  • Employers are allowed to require masks in their worksites. Some employers might require all employees to mask, or just those who are not fully vaccinated, both options are allowed as long as it is not less restrictive than what the CDPH has required or recommends.

  • While the easing of the mask mandate will be welcome by many, others may not be quite ready to ditch the mask. Employees can choose to wear a mask without retaliation from the employer.
Note from TPO: While masking requirements are easing, employers with 26 or more employees still are required to know the ins and outs of CA COVID Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) which requires paying up to 80 hours to employees for COVID-related reasons through September 30, 2022, retroactive to January 1, 2022. In addition to past TPO COVID Alerts on this topic, please attend the next TPO VirtuaLive event:
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As your TPO Team of Experts, we will keep you updated as important changes take place.
As members, give us a call or send us an email as part of your TPO membership.
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All past TPO Covid-19 Alerts are available on the TPO Website