On September 14, 2021, Ontario released Regulation 645/21 and a guidance document, which provide support to businesses and organizations in the implementation of their vaccination requirements, which will commence on September 22, 2021.
On August 26, 2021, the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) approved emergency regulations that institute a broad vaccine mandate for New York healthcare facilities.
The Philadelphia Department of Health has published a regulation amending its August 11, 2021 order that requires individuals to wear a face mask (with certain exceptions) in indoor settings and at certain large outdoor events in Philadelphia.
On August 11, 2021, Ontario released new guidance providing updated recommendations for case, contact, and outbreak management of fully immunized and previously positive individuals in the province.
On August 13, 2021, OSHA issued updated guidance to better align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s July 27, 2021 recommendations, given the rising cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
A city Order requires individuals to wear a face mask (with certain exceptions) in any indoor setting and at certain large outdoor events, unless all present are required to be vaccinated and there is a reasonable process to confirm vaccination status.
On August 10, 2021, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2021-099 requiring all D.C. employees and interns to certify that they have been vaccinated by September 19, 2021.
Many employers may want to avoid drawing a red line between vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees by adopting a “soft” approach, requiring that employees either provide proof of vaccination or periodic proof of a negative COVID test.
The IRS has announced that certain employers can claim federal tax credits when employees use emergency paid leave to accompany an individual to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination.
