Unpacking the Latest COVID-19 Mandates
Of all of our efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, government mandates have been by far the most controversial. Seen by many as an essential component in the plan to end the pandemic and by many others as an unnecessary overstep by the federal government, COVID-19 mandates have certainly caused more than their fair share of debate.
It isn’t the purpose of this article, though, to discuss the politics of such mandates but rather to inform our audience of the current government and CDC mandates regarding COVID-19. With that said, here’s the latest that you need to be aware of.
The Biden Administration’s Sweeping Vaccine Mandate
Frustrated by the persistence of vaccine hesitancy and the large number of Americans who have yet to receive the vaccine in spite of the fact that it has been readily available for several months now, President Biden announced in early September one of the most sweeping COVID-19 mandates since the initial lockdown. Under this mandate, any company in the United States that employs more than 100 people will have to ensure that those employees are vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. Companies that fail to meet these requirements will be subject to fines that could exceed tens of thousands of dollars per instance of noncompliance. The mandate also requires that all federal employees must be vaccinated without the option to opt-out via weekly testing.
The CDC’s Mask Mandate for Conveyances and Transportation Hubs
In January 2021, the CDC issued an order requiring anyone on public transportation conveyances as well as anyone present at a public transportation hub to wear a mask. The CDC has issued a wide range of such mask mandates since the pandemic began. In the early stages of the pandemic before a vaccine was available, the CDC first mandated that everyone must wear a mask while they are out in public. For a brief time in 2021 when it seemed as if the pandemic was all but over, most of the CDC’s mask mandates were lifted. The arrival of contagious COVID-19 variants such as the Delta variant, though, has led the CDC to begin reinstating many of these mandates.
State-by-State COVID-19 Mandates
While there have been plenty of COVID-19 mandates issued by the CDC and federal government, the majority of mandates have come from the state and local level. With this being the case, the COVID-19 mandates that you are expected to abide by can differ dramatically depending on the state that you visit and can differ even more from city to city within a given state. California, for example, was the first state in the country to announce that all healthcare workers must be fully vaccinated. The city of Los Angeles, meanwhile, is currently considering a mandate that will require all adults to show proof of vaccination before they are able to enter public buildings and places of business such as restaurants, gyms, shopping centers, and a broad range of other indoor businesses. In states such as North Dakota, meanwhile, almost no mandates at all have been issued. To cover the specific mandates of each state and city beyond the few examples that we’ve mentioned is something that would fill an entire book. For now, suffice it to say that you will need to research the specific mandates that are in place where you are located if you are concerned about breaching local regulations.
Schedule a COVID-19 Test From St. Jude Labs
At St. Jude Labs, COVID-19 testing is just one of the many tests that we offer to our patients. While vaccination remains our most effective line of defense when it comes to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and preventing serious illness, COVID-19 testing is still a highly essential healthcare service. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have any reason to suspect that you might have been exposed to the virus, be sure to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 testing from St. Jude Labs today.
