Connecticut is requiring certain healthcare employees be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Connecticut joins other states, including Washington and Massachusetts, in mandating vaccination. Read more.
Disability, Leave and Health Management
Federal Contractors Must Comply with New COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for On-Site Employees
Federal 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.
New Jersey: Vaccines Or Testing for Workers in Healthcare and High-Risk Congregate Settings
New 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…
Puerto Rico Implements Mandatory Vaccination of Certain Employees, Reinstates Mask Requirements
Puerto 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…
California Mandates Vaccination for Workers in the Health Care Industry by September 30th
With the significant increase in COVID-19 cases, the state of California has started implementing new measures to try to combat the rise. On July 26, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order requiring covered healthcare facilities to verify the vaccination status of all workers and put mandatory testing requirements in place…
IRS Updates FAQs to Include Leave to Accompany Someone to a COVID-19 Vaccination or to Care for Someone for COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Illnesses
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) extends tax credits available to covered employers who provide qualified sick and family leave wages (within the meaning of ARPA) to their employees between April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its FAQs on the Paid Sick and Paid Family…
Mask Mandates After State-Wide Mask Recommendations – Are More Restrictions to Follow?
On July 28th the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued revised guidance for the use of masks, including recommending universal masking indoors statewide. This guidance comes on the heels of changes in the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) guidance recommending masking for indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission of…
DHHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on “Long COVID” As a Disability
On July 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance explaining that “long COVID” can be a disability under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which apply to state/local government and public accommodations respectively, Section 504 of the…
CDC Recommends Everyone Wear Masks in Areas With Substantial or High Transmission of COVID-19
In its latest guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone — including individuals fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccines — wear masks in indoor public settings in all areas with substantial and high transmission of the COVID-19 virus. It also recommends that everyone get tested following exposure…
To Mandate or Not To Mandate: Department of Justice Weighs In on Vaccination Mandates
Can employers mandate vaccines? The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) says they can, but before employers do, they should consider the many legal and practical risks.
On July 26, 2021, the OLC issued an opinion (dated July 6, 2021) stating that the COVID-19 vaccinations’ Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) status under the Food,…