COVID-19
Resources and Information for CA Optometrists
Masks are no longer required in health care settings statewide. However, local jurisdictions can implement mask mandates that go beyond the statewide guidance. For example, Los Angeles County will retain its mask mandate for all health workers when they are around patients. Visitors and patients, however, will no longer be required to wear a mask in LA County. Here is the link to the updated, statewide Guidance for the Use of Face Masks (beginning April 3, 2023) (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/covid-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx#).
In accordance with CMS's Final Rule, healthcare workers accepting Medicare and Medicade are NOT required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Optometrists can provide COVID immunizations .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: May I require an employee or patient to wear a mask?
A: Yes, employers can have policies that are more protective than those required by the COVID-19 Prevention regulations. However, an accommodation must be made for those who cannot wear face coverings due to a medical or mental health condition or disability, who are hearing-impaired or communicating with a hearing-impaired person, or when an employee performs specific tasks which cannot be performed with a face covering.
Q: Do I need to provide masks for staff?
A: Yes, employers are required to provide face coverings upon request to all employees, and should make surgical masks or higher-filtration masks (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit available at all times.
Q: Do I need to take my patients' temperature before their visit?
A: No, you are not required to actively assess asymptomatic patients for COVID-19 by taking temperatures. However, you may choose to implement passive patient screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and exposures. Passive screening involves patient education, asking the patient to screen themselves prior to entry. This may be done by posting signs at entrances, or by sending emails or letters to patients providing guidance about recommended actions you would like patients to take for:
A positive viral test for COVID-19,
Symptoms of COVID-19, or
Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
An example would include asking patients with a confirmed COVID-19 infection or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, to defer non-urgent visits. See CDC COVID-19 Facility Access Tool for an example of screening criteria.
Q: May an employer require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
A: Yes. As explained by the California Civil Rights Department, an employer may require employees to receive an FDA approved vaccination against COVID-19 infection so long as the employer: does not discriminate against or harass employees or job applicants on the basis of a protected characteristic; provides reasonable accommodations related to disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices; and does not retaliate against anyone for engaging in protected activity (such as requesting a reasonable accommodation). For guidance on this topic, employers may wish to refer to information provided in the following FAQ resources provided by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Civil Rights Department at the following webpages:
Civil Rights Department FAQs regarding COVID-19
Q: May an employer require employees to submit proof of vaccination?
A: Yes. As explained by the California Civil Rights Department, because the reasons that any given employee or applicant is not vaccinated may or may not be related to disability or religious creed, simply asking employees or applicants for proof of vaccination is not a disability-related inquiry, religious creed-related inquiry, or a medical examination. Employers may wish to instruct their employees or applicants to omit any medical information from such documentation. Any record of employee or applicant vaccination must be maintained as a confidential medical record
Q: What are the indoor ventilation requirements?
A: Employers must: 1) review CDPH and Cal/OSHA guidance regarding ventilation, including “Interim Guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments;” and 2) develop, implement, and maintain effective methods to prevent transmission of COVID-19 including one or more of the following:
Maximize as much as possible the quantity of outside air provided, except when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index is greater than 100 for any pollutant or if opening windows or maximizing outdoor air by other means would cause a hazard to employees, for instance from excessive heat or cold.
In indoor locations with mechanical ventilation, filter circulated air through filters at least as protective as Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)-13, or the highest level of filtration efficiency compatible with the existing mechanical ventilation system.
Use High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration units in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations in indoor areas occupied by employees for extended periods, where ventilation is inadequate to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.