One of the highest priorities of the County as an employer is to maintain a safe and healthy workplace for our staff and the members of the public that we serve. Respiratory illness like influenza and COVID-19 remains a threat to employee wellness due to the ease of transmission, particularly in high traffic or communal areas. Provided below are resources to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and in the community.
Vaccination Requirements for LA County Workforce
Effective April 3, 2023, the Countywide COVID-19 Vaccination Policy was sunset to coincide with the end of the local public health emergency. For more information, please read the joint memorandum from Lisa M. Garrett and Dr. Barbara Ferrer, entitled “Sunset of COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (Policy, Procedure & Guideline 640) and Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Procedures.”
Although there is no longer a Countywide policy, COVID-19 vaccination requirements may remain in place for certain employees, including healthcare workers and individuals that work in healthcare facilities, based on federal, State or local regulations. Employees hired to positions with ongoing COVID-19 vaccination requirements are required to submit proof of their vaccination status through the County’s designated system of record or request an exemption for qualifying medical and religious reasons. Information about the County’s exemption request process is provided at https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/vaccine-mandate-exemption.
COVID-19 Prevention Practices
The County is committed to ensuring all employees are afforded a safe and healthy work environment. Actions to maintain the health of our workforce include:
- Positive COVID-19 cases will be excluded from the workplace until symptoms are resolving and the infectious period has passed, in alignment with public health guidance.
- All employees and visitors are permitted and encouraged to wear masks in County facilities if they prefer.
- Each County departments will have masks available for employees’ use on request.
- Departments will communicate known COVID-19 workplace exposures as needed.
- Employees will be provided the opportunity to get tested for COVID-19 following a workplace exposure on County time.
As a reminder, the County recommends that everyone continues to follow best practices in the workplace to help prevent COVID-19 exposures, and protect our County workforce and the communities we serve:
- Get the updated bivalent vaccination and booster. To find a vaccine, visit http://ph.lacounty.gov/howtogetvaccinated.
- Mask up. Wear face coverings indoors and in non-high-risk settings.
- Stay home when you feel sick, or if you have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19. For more information, visit http://ph.lacounty.gov/covidisolation.
- Know your COVID-19 status. Take an at-home COVID-19 test before gatherings, especially if those at higher risk will be in attendance, so you do not unknowingly infect others. If you are a close contact with someone who tests positive, test as soon as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Exercise good hygiene and hand wash and/or hand sanitize regularly.