LA County employers must provide medical-grade masks to workers starting Monday 17th

Employers must provide medical-grade surgical masks, or N95 or KN95 masks to indoor workers who are in close contact with others effective Monday January 17th, 2022.

Also LA County School Districts are asked to comply with the new rules no later than two weeks after campuses reopen following the winter break .

Masking is required for anyone entering school buildings or transports (school buses as well as school buildings) who has contact with others (students, parents, or other employees).

• Employees who have contact with others are offered, at no cost, an appropriate face mask that covers the nose and mouth. The mask must be worn by the employee at all times during the workday and is in contact or likely to come into contact with others. Employees who have been instructed by their medical provider that they should not wear a face mask must wear a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it. A drape that is form fitting under the chin is preferred. Masks with one-way valves must not be used.

• Employees who are exempt from wearing a mask must undergo COVID-19 testing at least twice per week unless the employee provides proof of full vaccination status against COVID-19 and proof of receipt of booster dose once they become eligible. In times of high rates of community transmission, LA County recommends that this periodic testing also include fully vaccinated individuals with or

where resources allow.

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• Employers are required to provide, upon request, respirators to any unvaccinated employee along with instructions on how to ensure the mask fits appropriately.

• All staff must wear a face mask at all times when indoors, except: when working alone in private offices with closed doors; when they are the only individual present in a larger open workspace for multiple employees; or when eating or drinking.

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• For the most updated LACDPH guidance and information on masking, refer to our COVID-19 Masks

page. http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/HOO/HOO_SaferReturnWorkCommunity.pdf

• Alternative protective strategies may be adopted to accommodate students who are on Individualized Education or 504 Plans and who have medical reasons why they cannot use or tolerate a face mask. Students who present appropriate documentation demonstrating a disability or condition that does not allow them to safely wear a mask should wear a face shield with drape at the bottom if their condition allows it. Students with documented conditions that do not accommodate the face shield and drape may request a reasonable accommodation from the school or district. Assessing for exemption due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability or hearing impairment that prevents wearing a mask, is a medical determination and therefore must be made by a physician,