City of Takoma Park enacts vaccine policy in compliance with OSHA ETS
Published on: Tuesday, January 4, 2022 News Alert

City of Takoma Park enacts vaccine policy in compliance with OSHA ETS

 

With the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant, COVID-19 continues to pose a very serious health risk, especially to those individuals who are not fully vaccinated. The City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy (the “Policy”) is in the best interest of the City and all employees in order to most effectively address the pandemic.

The City of Takoma Park, in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (OSHA ETS), and to promote the health and safety of the City workforce, residents, and visitors, adopts a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy (the “Policy”).

The Policy requires that all City employees, independent contractors, interns, and temporary workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to approved accommodations, including receipt of any additional doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., booster) in a manner and schedule consistent with this Policy as informed by CDC guidelines.

Vaccination & Booster Requirement

All City employees, independent contractors, interns, and temporary workers must be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19 no later than February 9, 2022.

To be fully vaccinated by February 9, 2022, an employee or other covered person must:

  • Obtain the first dose of a two-dose vaccine no later than January 19, 2022 (Pfizer) or January 12, 2022 (Moderna); and the second dose no later than February 9, 2022; or
  • Obtain one dose of a single dose vaccine no later than February 9, 2022.

In addition, covered individuals who are eligible to receive a booster must obtain the booster as follows:

  • If currently eligible for an approved COVID-19 booster, you must obtain the booster by February 9, 2022; and
  • If not currently eligible for an approved COVID-19 booster, you must obtain the booster within 30 days of becoming eligible for a booster per CDC guidance.
Other Items to Note

Time to Receive Vaccination
Employees may take up to four (4) hours of work time during the workday per dose to receive vaccination and a booster.

Time to Recover from Vaccine Side Effects
Employees may utilize up to two (2) workdays of sick leave, if needed, because of side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination/booster that prevent them from working.

City of Takoma Park Vaccination Policy

Purpose
Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation as a whole. The City has adopted this Policy to comply with OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing, which encourages full vaccination of the workforce against COVID-19, and to promote the safety and wellbeing of others.

Read the full policy here.

FAQs

Who is required to be vaccinated by the Policy and when is the Policy effective?
The Policy requires that all City employees, independent contractors, interns, and temporary workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Where can I obtain testing?
There are multiple testing locations. Some options for free testing can be found at:

To see the full list, visit our FAQs page.