Governor Gavin Newsom took a bold step to reign in this resurgent Pandemic, when he announced on Wednesday that all Public-School employees and Government Teachers should either show legitimate proof of vaccination or give in to regular COVID testing. California becomes the first state in the nation to mandate this requirement, applicable to all public and private school employees.
Multiple schools in California have reopened and the others planning to reopen within a few weeks. The announcement of the new policy was made by Newsom at an Oakland School that had reopened post-summer-break.
Newsom said, “We think this is the right thing to do, We engaged in robust conversations over the weekend. Over the course of the last few days, we were able to land over the course of yesterday, and today we are formalizing this announcement.”
He further added, “We’re now following up today to align our school strategy to the state strategy and become the first state in the country to require that all of our staff … submit verification of vaccination or submit to weekly testing.”
This move ensures that all schools start in time in-person amid the surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the emergence of the Delta Variant.
Bottom Line: California makes it mandatory for all school staff including para-educators, teachers, bus drivers, and custodial staff to take weekly COVID tests or to submit proof of vaccination.
