(WWJ) Many more Michiganders may be ordered to mask up at work under new guidance from a state agency.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) said it Thursday it is "strongly encouraging" all Michigan employers to make their employees wear face coverings while working indoors.
This comes following recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, which includes masking back up in areas of high or substantial transmission.
This currently includes most Michigan counties, and all of metro Detroit. [SEE THE CDC RISK MAP]
According to the CDC, the Delta variant is much more contagious, may infect those that have been vaccinated and may also allow vaccinated individuals to spread the virus. Prior to Delta, the probability for vaccinated individuals to spread the virus was considered low.
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"As transmission rates accelerate rapidly in many Michigan counties, Michigan employers should monitor the spread of COVID-19 in their local communities and follow the CDC's guiding principles for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people to ensure we are all doing our part to keep workplaces safe for employees and customers," said COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan, in a statement.
Since dialing back workplace rules for non-healthcare settings in June to align with Federal OSHA, MIOSHA has encouraged employers to adopt policies that follow CDC guidelines.
"MIOSHA remains committed to protecting the safety and health of Michigan workers during this pandemic," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "As more Michigan communities move toward substantial or high levels of community transmission due to the Delta variant, MIOSHA is urging employers across the state to follow the CDC's updated guidelines to protect employees and contain the spread of COVID-19."
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For areas with substantial or high community transmission, the CDC recommends implementing face coverings for all employees and visitors indoors — including people who are fully vaccinated individuals.
MIOSHA also wants employers to adopt the CDC recommended testing strategy for vaccinated employees that have been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person.
MIOSHA stresses that vaccines are safe and effective and remain the key to ending this pandemic, and that face coverings reduce potential transmission from those infected by containing the large respiratory droplets and aerosols expelled when people breathe, cough, sneeze or talk.
For those who are not yet vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated and continuing to mask until they are fully vaccinated. Per the CDC's latest update, "With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever."
For more information, check out the CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals, and review the CDC COVID tracker to determine community spread in your area.
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