Politics & Government
City Of Berkeley: Employers Should Encourage, Use All Tools Available To Have Employees Vaccinated
"Vaccines are already keeping workers, patrons and visitors safer and lowering the risk of outbreaks," said Dr. Lisa Hernandez
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Berkeley, California (Wednesday, August 11, 2021) - The City of Berkeley's Health Officer strongly recommends that employers use all tools they have available to increase workplace COVID-19 vaccinations - actions the City plans to model by mandating vaccination for its more than 1,500 employees.
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Even as cases rise due to the highly-contagious Delta variant, the three rigorously-tested and FDA-authorized vaccines make people far less likely to get infected and also offer much greater protection against sickness, hospitalization, and death.
"Vaccines are already keeping workers, patrons and visitors safer and lowering the risk of outbreaks," said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the City of Berkeley Health Officer. "Increasing vaccinations in any workplace will strengthen its ability to stay open and keep employees healthy. Mandating vaccination and verifying proof of vaccination in the workplace is a best practice and I recommend it."
Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Federal, state laws support employer mandates for COVID-19 health
Federal and state agencies overseeing workplace rights allow employers to mandate:
- COVID-19 vaccination
- viral testing
- protective equipment designed to reduce infection
- asking symptom status
- sending employees home when exhibiting COVID-19 status
COVID-19 poses particular workplace risks
Resources
- Vaccine Record Guidelines & Standards (California Department of Public Health)
- What you should know about COVID-19 related employment laws (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
- Requiring Vaccinations subject to an Emergency Use Authorization (United States Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel
- Employment Information on COVID-19 (Ca. Dept. of Fair Employment & Housing)
- Message: Face Coverings required indoors in Berkeley, 7 counties (City of Berkeley)
- Emergency Temporary Standards for COVID-19 Prevention in the Workplace (California Department of Industrial Relations - CAL-OSHA)
- Request Digital COVID-19 Record - (California Department of Public Health)
This press release was produced by City of Berkeley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
