There’s been a new outbreak in California – with seven new COVID-19 cases at the state capitol just weeks after reopening.
All seven are within the same assembly office, reported this week to staff and members by Assembly Rules Chief Administrative Officer Debra Gravert, according to reporting by the Sacramento Bee.
Two of the employees who tested positive were fully vaccinated and all wore masks while in the office.
On Thursday all unvaccinated members and staff were required to get tested for COVID-19 at the Capitol, as recommended by the California Department of Public Health. Vaccinated individuals were encouraged to get swabbed. Results were expected within 24 hours.
The Senate and Assembly had previously asked members and their staff to submit proof of vaccination.
Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said the Legislature should require vaccination for its employees via Twitter.
"All public employees — including all employees of the Legislature — should be mandated to get a COVID vaccine, absent a medical reason," Wiener wrote. "Public employees not getting vaccinated puts others at risk & undermines government’s ability to serve the public. It’s not acceptable."
Vaccinated employees can take their masks off in their offices and can attend work events without face coverings.
Unvaccinated workers are not authorized to remove their masks unless they were alone in a room or while eating and at a distance from others.
Unvaccinated legislators and employees are mandated to get tested weekly and are prohibited from working in the building without a negative result.
Gravert said employees should not come to work if they are infected, feeling sick or awaiting a test result.
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