Chelsea At Fanwood Hasn't Mandated COVID Vaccine For Employees

FANWOOD, NJ — As some healthcare networks around New Jersey require their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Chelsea Senior Living in Fanwood has not set a mandate. Based on Chelsea's current protocols, unvaccinated employees must be COVID-19 tested twice a week.

"A few weeks ago we required unvaccinated employees to be tested twice a week. We continue to monitor vaccination rates at each community and have continued to encourage and educate employees about the benefits of the vaccine," said Chelsea's Director of Communications Jason Kahn.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that starting Sept. 7, workers in New Jersey healthcare settings and other high-risk settings will be subject to COVID testing once or twice per week if they're not fully vaccinated against the virus. Read more: COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing Now Mandatory For NJ Health Care Staff

Previous to Murphy's order, The Chelsea at Fanwood at 295 South Ave. in Fanwood had already instituted weekly COVID-19 testing for its employees.

"Our Chelsea communities instituted a mandatory weekly testing policy for unvaccinated workers long before Governor Murphy's mandate," said Kahn.

Currently, not all employees at The Chelsea in Fanwood are vaccinated, said Kahn.

The total amount of vaccinated employees is not yet clear as The Chelsea is updating their numbers.

Around the state, healthcare facilities that still have unvaccinated workers by Sept. 7 will need a plan in place to test those employees. The rules also apply to other high-risk settings, such as long-term care and assisted living facilities, rehab centers, county jails and state prisons.

The state "strongly encouraged" private facilities to implement stricter protocols than New Jersey's requirements.

"Vaccination is the best tool we have to end this pandemic," said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. "None of us would want our vulnerable loved ones put at further risk due to their caregiver or healthcare provider. Ensuring these individuals are fully vaccinated or have been tested will help protect those who live in these congregate settings or need hospital care."

The discussion around vaccine mandates for healthcare employees has caused nationwide controversy, and New Jersey hasn't been immune. RWJBarnabas Health confirmed that it fired six employees who refused to get a coronavirus vaccine.

RWJBarnabas was the first New Jersey hospital network to mandate the vaccine. Hackensack Meridian Health and Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth.

— With reporting from Carly Baldwin and Josh Bakan

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