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On Dec. 22, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a public health order that requires all eligible workers to receive their booster on or before Feb. 1. The order also requires twice-weekly testing for workers who are unvaccinated or workers who are vaccinated, due for a booster, but not currently boosted. As per the order’s FAQ, this testing regime must be fully implemented by Jan. 7.
To assist health facilities in implementing the Dec. 22 order, CDPH issued several All Facilities Letters (AFL) on Dec. 27: AFL 20-53.6 (skilled-nursing facilities), AFL 21-27.1 (general acute care hospitals), and AFL 21-34.1 (all health facilities). AFL 21-27.1 continues to require that unvaccinated health care workers receive a N95 respirator from their employer. Additionally, AFL 21-34.1 details the testing cadence for health care personnel who have not received a booster.
Finally, AFL 21-08.6, which addresses quarantine periods for workers who contract COVID-19 or experience a close contact with COVID-19, was updated to match recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
