California Takes Decisive Action on Unvaccinated State Workers

Despite California leading the nation in vaccinations with more than 44 million doses administered, the state is reporting an increase in unvaccinated people being admitted to the ICU and dying. This increase is heavily due to the Delta variant, which is more contagious and kills people more quickly than the previous COVID strain.

California is taking decisive action to combat the spread of COVID-19 by implementing a first-in-the-nation standard. This will require all state workers and healthcare/high-risk congregate setting workers to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week. And it is encouraging all local government and other employers to adopt a similar protocol.

“We are now dealing with a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and it’s going to take renewed efforts to protect Californians from the dangerous Delta variant,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “As the state’s largest employer, we are leading by example and requiring all state and healthcare workers to show proof of vaccination or be tested regularly, and we are encouraging local governments and businesses to do the same. Vaccines are safe – they protect our family, those who truly can’t get vaccinated, our children and our economy. Vaccines are the way we end this pandemic.” The new policy for state workers will take effect August 2 and testing will be phased in during the next few weeks. The new policy for healthcare workers and congregate facilities will take effect on August 9, and healthcare facilities will have until August 23 to fully comply.