Photo: AFP
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health has passed a motion today to revise guidelines and to let vaccinated workers go maskless on the job. The new guidelines align with the state rules for masks -- self-attesting you are vaccinated and you can go without a mask, with some exceptions. Masks will still be required in places with an "outbreak" of the virus, on public transportation, and in medical facilities. Board members voted 5-to-1 to approve the new rule after another hours long round of public comment. Late Friday, OSHA issued a 30 page report that eliminates mask wearing in the workplace, unless you are not vaccinated, which they voted to approve Thursday. Usually, there is a 10 day waiting period for new rules to take effect, but Governor Gavin Newsom says he will sign an executive order to speed up the process so the rules take effect tonight at midnight.
Here are the key takeaways from the guidelines:
- Fully vaccinated employees do not need to wear a mask, except for a few situations, including if there's an outbreak or at locations like mass transit.
- Employers are required to verify that employees are fully vaccinated if workers don't wear a mask.
- Physical distancing requirements have ended with a few exceptions.