This past week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer needed to wear masks or distance themselves both inside and outside. For many, this was exciting news to hear and provided a great deal of hope that the COVID crisis is coming to a close.
We strongly encourage employers to hold off on any policy changes until they have clear guidance from the appropriate entities in their state or region. Many signals have been given by state authorities that they will do their best to meet the changes announced by the CDC.
It is also important to note the allowance of these changes is likely to be based on vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals. If this is allowed in your state, employers can ask an employee to show proof of vaccination, without any other medical information. If a person chooses not to show proof or does not have proof, they will be required to continue with whatever your policy is. Many of you have inquired if this is a HIPPA violation. It is not. While health care providers are prohibited from sharing medical information about a patient, a person is free to share their personal medical information with whomever they choose.
While change is clearly coming, we are not there yet. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
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