California Will Be The First State To Require Teachers Have Covid Vaccines Or Be Tested Regularly
Topline
California will require that all teachers and school employees either provide proof of vaccination or undergo regular coronavirus testing after the school year begins this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce Wednesday according to media reports, making California the first state to do so as new cases are ramping up across the country.
Gov. Gavin Newsom holds up a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Kaiser Permanente Los … [+]
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Key Facts
The plan has already gotten the approval from California’s two most influential teachers unions, the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers, according to Politico.
Big Number
319,004. That’s how many teachers were working at California public schools during the 2018-2019 school year, according to the state’s department of education.
Key Background
Newsom, who is expected to announce the measures during a press conference at a Bay Area elementary school Wednesday afternoon, is facing a recall election next month. California has reported an uptick in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations since early July, pushing Los Angeles county to reinstate a mask mandate. Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to require proof of vaccination in order to enter bars, restaurants, gyms and other indoor public spaces, similar to a policy New York announced last week. New York also mandates that all city employees, including public school teachers, be vaccinated against coronavirus or be tested weekly.
Further Reading
Newsom to announce nation’s first vax-or-test rules for teachers (Politico)
Gov. Newsom To Mandate Vaccines Or Regular COVID Testing For California Teachers (CNN)
Gov. Newsom expected to order school employees to get vaccinated or be tested regularly (Los Angeles Times)
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