Oregon Issues New Rule Requiring Vaccinations of Healthcare Workers by Mid-OctoberFollowing on the heels of an executive order by Oregon’s governor requiring full vaccination for teachers, staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools, the Oregon Health Authority issued a new rule requiring that healthcare providers and healthcare staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of October 18, 2021. Read more from our Oregon colleagues here. Continue ReadingAugust 27, 2021 |
Illinois Amended Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act for Greater Employee ProtectionsThe Illinois Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) has been amended to expand the list of reasons for which job-protected leave is available, among other provisions. The amendments went into effect on August 20, 2021. Read more about these amendments here. Continue ReadingAugust 25, 2021 |
OSHA Updates Non-Healthcare Employer Guidance on COVID-19The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its COVID-19 guidance for non-healthcare employers, Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace, on August 13, 2021. While embracing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated recommendations for fully vaccinated people in areas of substantial or high transmission of... Continue ReadingAugust 17, 2021 |
Vaccine Verification and Testing Requirements for Workers in Schools Across CaliforniaA week after issuing the first in the nation order mandating all healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, on August 11, 2021, the state of California issued an order mandating either vaccination or regular testing for all workers of schools throughout the state. The order issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), applies to public and... Continue ReadingAugust 13, 2021 |
Pittsburgh Expands COVID-19 Paid Sick LeavePittsburgh has joined other American cities by enacting new legislation to address the uptick in COVID-19 cases from a sick leave perspective. On July 29, 2021, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto signed a new ordinance granting COVID-19 sick time to certain employees working within the city (the “July 29 Ordinance”). Although the July 29 Ordinance is technically “new,”... Continue ReadingAugust 13, 2021 |
Puerto Rico Extends Mandatory Vaccination to Dining and Entertainment SectorsPuerto Rico has made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for additional industries after Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi extended vaccination requirements for employees in the health and hospitality sectors beginning August 16, 2021. Under new Executive Order (EO-2021-063), restaurants, theaters, and other establishments in the dining and entertainment industries must comply with requirements for mandatory vaccination beginning August 23,... Continue ReadingAugust 13, 2021 |
Federal Contractors Must Comply with New COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for On-Site EmployeesFederal contractors are being contacted by their contracting agencies about implementing requirements relating to President Joe Biden’s mandate that all federal employees and on-site contractor employees either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face repeated testing, and comply with strict social distancing and masking requirements. Read more about these new requirements and next steps for federal... Continue ReadingAugust 10, 2021 |
Connecticut Mandates Vaccination for Employees of Broadly Defined ‘Long-Term Care Facilities’Connecticut is requiring certain healthcare employees be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Connecticut joins other states, including Washington and Massachusetts, in mandating vaccination. Connecticut’s Executive Order, issued on August 6, 2021, requires employees of long-term care facilities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Executive Order broadly defines “Long-term care facility.” Read about this new law... Continue ReadingAugust 10, 2021 |
Puerto Rico Implements Mandatory Vaccination of Certain Employees, Reinstates Mask RequirementsPuerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi has issued an Executive Order (EO-2021-058) making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all public employees in the Executive Branch. EO-2021-058, which goes into effect August 16, 2021, also recommends that all commercial establishments and private entities that are open to the public implement similar requirements. In addition, the Secretary of... Continue ReadingAugust 10, 2021 |
New Jersey: Vaccines Or Testing for Workers in Healthcare and High-Risk Congregate SettingsNew Jersey is requiring employers in covered healthcare and high-risk congregate settings (“covered settings”) to establish a policy that: (1) mandates vaccinations or weekly testing for workers; (2) creates a system to track the results of the applicable testing requirements; and (3) creates a system to communicate the results of such testing to local public... Continue ReadingAugust 10, 2021 |