Sonoma County Public Health strongly recommends that all employers in the County require workers to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or show proof of weekly COVID-19 testing. Workers who are not fully vaccinated, or who decline to show proof of vaccination, should be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. In addition, all employees (regardless of vaccine status), must continue to comply with the local public health face covering order, visit: https://socoemergency.org/order-of-the-health-officer-of-the-county-of-sonoma-c19-25/
The relaxing of community and workplace transmission protections since mid-June in California and the rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, which is much more contagious than the original strains of the virus, have led to significantly higher case rates, and a higher risk of transmission at businesses and workplaces as a result. Local and national data show that fully vaccinated people are far less likely to catch COVID-19 or require hospitalization than people who are unvaccinated.
Employers can play a critical role in ensuring a safe workplace environment and boosting vaccination rates among working-age individuals. A vaccination policy benefits employers because the quarantine requirements are different for vaccinated and unvaccinated workers. Currently, an employee who is not vaccinated must quarantine for at least 10 days if exposed to someone who tested positive, whereas fully vaccinated workers do not need to quarantine unless they have symptoms. Requiring documentation of COVID-19 vaccination, rather than self-attestation, is the best practice for employers to ensure workers are adhering to the appropriate workplace protections. Additional employer resources are available via the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, visit: DFEH Employment Information on COVID-19 (ca.gov)
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, convenient, and free regardless of immigration status or proof of health insurance. For information about finding a COVID-19 vaccine location, visit Sonoma County COVID-19 Vaccine Information – Sonoma County Emergency and Preparedness Information (socoemergency.org). For more information about free COVID-19 testing, visit: COVID-19 Testing & Tracing in Sonoma County – Sonoma County Emergency and Preparedness Information (socoemergency.org)
Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD MPH
Health Officer of the County of Sonoma