This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On March 3, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced updates to several state public health officer orders and other guidance, including those related to COVID-19 vaccination, masking, isolation, and quarantine.
The updates include:
- Masking in High-Risk and Health Care Settings. Beginning April 3, masks will no longer be required in indoor high-risk and health care settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other environments. CDPH also noted that high-risk settings should make respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit or surgical masks available to any residents and staff who would like to use them. It is important to remember, however, that in workplaces, employers and employees continue to be subject to either the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations or the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard and should consult those regulations for applicable requirements.
- Vaccine Requirements for Health Care Workers. Beginning April 3, the state will no longer require vaccination for health care workers, including those in hospitals and other direct care facilities. It is important to note that federal rules regarding vaccination are still in place.
- Hospital Surge Order. On April 3, CDPH will rescind an order that required hospitals statewide to accept transfer patients from facilities with limited ICU capacity as needed.
If you have questions on the CDPH-related updates, please contact CHA’s Trina A. Gonzalez, or Lois Richardson. For guidance on Cal/OSHA, please contact CHA’s Gideon Baum.
