Executive Order Strengthens COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirements for Workers in Healthcare and Congregate Settings
On January 19, 2022, Gov. Murphy signed Executive Order No. 283 requiring covered workers at healthcare facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received booster shots when they are eligible. The new requirement was imposed to strengthen protections against the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant to vulnerable populations across the state.
Examples of covered health and high-risk congregate settings covered facilities under the Order can be found at the NJ state’s press release site here. The covered workers include both full and part-time employees, contractors, and individuals providing operational, custodial, or administrative support.
Unvaccinated healthcare facilities’ covered workers subject to the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare settings had until January 27, 2022, to obtain their first dose of the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination, and will have until February 28, 2022, to submit proof that they have completed their primary series and any booster shots for which they are eligible. For unvaccinated healthcare facilities’ covered workers who are not subject to the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare settings and high-risk congregate care, they will have until February 16, 2022, to obtain their first dose of the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination and submit proof that they are up to date with their vaccination by March 30, 2022.
All covered workers will be required to be vaccinated by the dates set forth in the Order noted above and will no longer be permitted to submit to testing as an alternative to vaccination, except for employees who request and receive an exemption because of a disability, medical condition or sincerely held religious belief. If an employee receives an exemption, they must submit to weekly or bi-weekly testing in accordance with the previous Executive Order signed by the Gov. last year.
Employers with healthcare facility covered workers and high-risk congregate settings in the state should be aware of these new updates.
Executive Order 283 »