As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across California, Governor Gavin Newsom took action last week to require all state workers and workers in health care and high-risk congregate settings to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week.

The new policy for state workers took effect August 2, with testing phased in over the next few weeks. The new policy for health care workers and congregate facilities will take effect on August 9; health care facilities will have until August 23 to come into full compliance.

To help physicians understand these new requirements as they relate to health care, the California medical Association has updated its return-to-work FAQ— Returning to the Physical Workplace: Legal parameters and considerations for employers. This document is free and available to members-only.