Santa Clara County, California issued a health officer order on June 21, 2021, to phase out its May 18 health officer order, which required businesses to ascertain the vaccination status of all personnel working in the county and to follow up every two weeks with those who had not yet indicated they were fully vaccinated. The county also lifted its other COVID-19-related requirements for businesses, replacing them with recommendations that businesses are encouraged to follow.
Beginning June 21, 2021, businesses that have performed two “rounds” of ascertainment in compliance with the May 18 order, and maintain “appropriate records” that they have done so, are no longer required to follow up every two weeks with personnel who are not fully vaccinated. Businesses in Santa Clara County that have not completed two rounds must continue complying with the May 18 order’s vaccination ascertainment requirements until they have completed two rounds. Employers should also note that at the state level, California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA’s) “readopted” Emergency Temporary Standards that took effect June 17 require employers to document employees’ vaccination status before relaxing face covering and quarantine requirements for employees in California.
Also effective June 21, 2021, Santa Clara County lifted its requirements regarding mandatory reporting of personnel who contracted COVID-19, its Mandatory Directive on Use of Face Coverings, and its Mandatory Directive on Unvaccinated Personnel. As a result, once an employer completes its two documented rounds of vaccination ascertainment, it can focus on complying with any applicable statewide requirements, such as the Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards. The county credited declining cases, widespread community vaccination, and the updated Cal/OSHA workplace standards as its reasons for lifting restrictions.
Santa Clara County now recommends, but does not require, that businesses do the following:
With Santa Clara County’s rescission of its vaccination ascertainment requirements, for the first time since the pandemic began in March 2020 employers in California need not be concerned with different COVID-19 prevention directives at the state and local levels. All local jurisdictions now direct employers to follow the updated Cal/OSHA standards and the state Department of Public Health’s guidance for safely reopening California.
We have developed many customizable resources to support employers’ efforts in safely returning to work. These include tracking of state and local orders on return to work requirements and essential/nonessential work; policy templates and guidelines for key topics such as social distancing procedures, temperature testing, and workplace arrangements for high-risk employees; and webinar training on safety measures for return to work. View the full list of return to work resources and consult our workplace reopening checklist.
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If you have any questions or would like more information on the issues discussed in this LawFlash, please contact any of the following Morgan Lewis lawyers:
Orange County/Silicon Valley
Daryl S. Landy
Silicon Valley
Alicia J. Farquhar
Michael D. Schlemmer