Providers were eagerly consulting guidance on precautions to take with COVID-19 vaccine- exempt workers in the days leading up to a federal mandate’s final deadline.
The last batch of states had untll March 15 to assure all staff were vaccinated or had acquired locally issued exemptions.
Possible precautions include reassigning exempt staff to non-patient care areas; offering remote work; more frequent testing of unvaccinated staff; and requiring masking and PPE use beyond federal standards.
CMS noted that while providers are not required to follow the precautions, they should be “intentional about establishing appropriate policies around additional precautions and take a layered approach based on risk of COVID-19 transmission to residents they serve.”
Providers achieving at least 80% staff vaccination coverage will get more time before penalties start, officials reminded.
