SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — Within the South Bay, public well being officers say they won’t implement a vaccine mandate for purchasers at companies however extremely urge companies like bars and eating places – the place masks come off indoors – to require proof of vaccination.
As Bay Space counties replace well being orders like requiring proof of vaccination for indoor public settings because of the omicron surge, Santa Clara County well being officers say mandating proof of vaccine for purchasers would have little influence.
At a press convention two weeks in the past Santa Clara County Public Well being Director Dr. Sara Cody added Santa Clara county has excessive vaccination charges.
An announcement from the county reads:
County efforts are strategically targeted on vaccination and boosting in addition to making testing as broadly obtainable as provides permit. That is critically necessary. COVID-19 continues to current distinctive challenges as we work to stability the general public’s total well being, whereas striving to permit companies to function with out extra undue stress for staff. Mandating a proof of vaccine for purchasers, with many companies nonetheless recovering from the monetary burdens of the preliminary COVID surge, would have restricted influence and impose extra prices in a county the place greater than 87% of the eligible public is vaccinated. Public Well being continues to induce companies with actions that require patrons to take away their face masks (e.g., eating places and bars) to require proof of vaccination previous to entry, however leaves the ultimate resolution to their discretion.
As all through the pandemic, the County will proceed to observe COVID-19 and can reply accordingly. That is why a brand new well being order was issued final week that builds on latest adjustments within the State Well being Officer’s vaccination necessities by mandating up-to-date vaccination by staff in sure healthcare and congregate settings, additional defending our most susceptible populations.
On Tuesday, Cody informed the county board of supervisors it skilled points with staffing because the omicron surge and is specializing in the up to date mandate that requires boosters for well being care staff, long-term care, correctional amenities, and homeless shelters.
“Booster mandate is to make sure each security of susceptible folks in hospitals or congregate settings in addition to to make sure that the workers caring for them are much less more likely to get sick,” Cody mentioned.
San Jose is now the primary metropolis within the U.S. to require a booster shot for metropolis staff and city-owned properties.
That features the SAP Middle
Metropolis leaders say this mandate goes to forestall hospitals from being overwhelmed.
Within the meantime, medical doctors say the easiest way to keep away from getting contaminated is to put on an excellent masks and being cautious about indoor gatherings.
Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of UCSF hospital, is monitoring the omicron surge in different elements of the nation.
