Mask on….Mask off….
Fully Vaccinated CA Employees can Unmask on February 16, 2022!
...some exceptions still apply!

Alert #68 - Published February 14, 2022
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) published an order announcing that the mask mandate will be lifted and changes taking effect on February 16, 2022 are as follows:

  • Universal masking shall remain required in only specified settings.

  • Only unvaccinated persons are required to mask in all indoor public settings and fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to continue indoor mask when the risk may be high. 

Masks are still required regardless of vaccination status in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:

  • Public Transit
  • Indoors in K-12 schools and childcare
  • Healthcare settings
  • State and local correctional facilities
  • Homeless shelters
  • Long term care settings
  • Adult and senior care facilities
Option:

Other than these public settings, employers may choose to continue requiring employees to wear masks at work regardless of vaccination status.
California Department of Public Health guidance for face coverings (ca.gov)
Even though CDPH guidance is changing the statewide face covering requirements, employers should continue to monitor local health orders. Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito County are three of the eleven county's to align with the new CDPH guidance.
CA Employers must follow the requirements of Cal/OSHA’s ETS: 
The CAL/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requires CA employers to provide employees who are not fully vaccinated with face coverings and to ensure they are properly worn over the nose and mouth when indoors and in vehicles. Outdoors, no employees need to use face coverings regardless of vaccination status, unless there is an outbreak.
Employers must also provide and ensure use of face coverings by employees:

  • When required by the CDPH,


  • When riding in employer-provided motor vehicle transportation.
 
Exceptions to using face coverings include:

  • When an employee is alone in a room or vehicle.

  • While eating or drinking provided employees are six feet apart or outside.

  • Employees wearing respirators.

  • Employees who cannot wear face coverings due to a medical or mental health condition or disability, because they are hearing-impaired or communicating with a hearing-impaired person, or when an employee performs specific tasks that cannot be performed while wearing a face covering.

  • Employers must also provide face coverings to employees upon request, regardless of their vaccination status.

Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) fact sheets, model written program and other resources: Click Here
Note from TPO: In order for employees to not wear a mask indoors, and to determine the correct quarantine, isolation and testing guidelines set forth by Cal/OSHA, TPO recommends employers ask employees for proof of vaccination status (card, image of card on device, or similar document from health care provider), or have employees complete a self-attestation form.
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.
Not a member? Give us a call we're here to help!
831.647.7292

All past TPO Covid-19 Alerts are available on the TPO Website