Written by Sasha Reva
Workplace regulators are extending California’s coronavirus pandemic regulations into next year with new revisions. These new regulations could have a negative impact on an already bad labor shortage. California is tied with Nevada in the worst jobless rate in the country at 7.3%.
The revised temporary rule erases current distinctions between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees. Both would be out of the workplace if they come in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive. The rule would require those who are vaccinated and asymptomatic who come into contact with anyone who is positive for COVID-19 to stay home for 14 days even if they test negative.
“Treating vaccinated and unvaccinated people similarly really denies the scientific value of the vaccine and disincentives vaccination,” said Rob Moutrie, a policy advocate at the California Chamber of Commerce. One group that has criticized these regulations is The Motion Picture Association. The association said, “employees who work in front of the camera cannot be expected to wear a face covering”.
Vaccinated employees may work even if they’ve been exposed, unless they show symptoms.
“It’s good that we’re realizing that vaccines aren’t the silver bullet to get us out of this,” Mitch Steiger a legislative advocate for the California Labor Federation said. “There’s never a good time to start disarming against COVID-19.”
The rules will apply in almost every workplace in the state, including to workers in offices, retails and more. Michigan, Oregon and Virginia all adopted emergency COVID workplace regulations. The Biden administration has declared that all businesses with over 100 employees must be vaccinated, test regularly, or wear a mask but that order has been challenged in court by red states.
The board plans to host a panel discussion with future pandemic regulations.
Photo Cred: Marcio Jose Sanchez/ Santa Mario Times
