The California Department of Health issued two new public health orders on Thursday.
The first order requires health care workers to be fully vaccinated or receive their second dose by Sept. 30. It comes a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom's mandate, in which state workers and health care workers must show proof of full vaccination or take a weekly COVID test.
“As we continue to see an increase in cases and hospitalizations due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, it’s important that we protect the vulnerable patients in these settings,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer.
“Today’s action will also ensure that health care workers themselves are protected. Vaccines are how we end this pandemic.”
Officials say employees may have options to get compensated time off in order to get vaccinated.
The second public health order is aimed at hospitals, nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities in that visitors must be fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19.