Title
a. Revise the date for employee certification of COVID-19 vaccination status compliance to October 15, 2021;
b. Revise the date for vaccine compliance (excluding employees under State Mandate) to October 31, 2021;
c. Revise the indoor face covering requirement to allow fully vaccinated employees and members of the public who show proof of vaccination to not be required to wear a face covering in a County facility office or meeting room if all other individuals are fully vaccinated;
d. Direct the Director of Human Resources to implement changes in the Monterey County Emergency Response Manual and COVID-19 Prevention Program.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors take the following actions:
a. Revise the date for employee certification of COVID-19 vaccination status compliance to October 15, 2021;
b. Revise the date for vaccine compliance (excluding employees under State Mandate) to October 31, 2021;
c. Revise the indoor face covering requirement to allow fully vaccinated employees and members of the public who show proof of vaccination to not be required to wear a face covering in a County facility office or meeting room if all other individuals are fully vaccinated;
d. Direct the Director of Human Resources to implement changes in the Monterey County Emergency Response Manual and COVID-19 Prevention Program.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Human Resources Department and the County Administrative Officer are seeking authority to amend the Monterey County Emergency Response Manual and COVID-19 Prevention Program for the following items:
• Revise the compliance date for employee certification of COVID-19 vaccination status.
• Revise the compliance date for employee COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
• Allow fully vaccinated employees and members of the public who show proof of vaccination to not be required to wear a face covering in a County facility office or meeting room if all other individuals are fully vaccinated.
The extension of the compliance date for employee COVID-19 vaccination requirement will not apply to employees who fall under the State Health Officer’s Order at the Health Department, Natividad, Office of the Sheriff-Coroner, and the Probation Department.
Employees who have yet to complete their COVID-19 vaccination certification status will be granted an extension until October 15, 2021. Unless granted an authorized medical or religious exemption request, all employees or impacted persons must comply with the requirement to have the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccination no later than October 31, 2021. Employees with approved medical or religious exemption requests will be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing (or twice weekly for Natividad Hospital personnel), and to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
To be consistent with the California Department of Public Health guidelines, the Director of Human Resources and County Administrative Officer are seeking direction to amend the Monterey County Emergency Response Manual and COVID-19 Prevention Program, to add an exception to the face covering requirement to allow fully vaccinated employees and members of the public showing proof of vaccination to not be required to wear a face covering in a County facility office or meeting room if all other individuals are fully vaccinated. However, the face covering requirement applies to employees and members of the public at all times in open space areas.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office and Office of the County Counsel were consulted on this report.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with these actions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action addresses the Board of Supervisors’ Administration Strategic Initiative and demonstrates the County’s commitment to meeting the Board’s initiatives by attracting, recruiting, and retaining a diverse, talented work force that supports the mission of Monterey County.
Economic Development
X Administration
Health and Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared By: Wendell Sells, Management Analyst III, 796-6066
Approved By: Irma Ramirez-Bough, Director of Human Resources, 755-5043