The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) updated its routine diagnostic screening testing and masking guidance in response to a July 26, 2021 State Public Health Officer Order. As follows, this PIN supersedes and updates the testing guidance contained in PIN 21-28-ASC:
- Removes the 70% vaccination requirement for residents and staff when determining the
schedule for routine diagnostic screening testing; - Licensees must verify the vaccine status of all facility staff;
- All facility staff who are unvaccinated or have received insufficient vaccination must undergo diagnostic screening testing at least once per week, and licensees must verify a negative COVID-19 test;
- Licensees must have a plan in place for tracking facility staff vaccination status and make vaccine verification records available to the local health jurisdiction.
- It also requires facility staff who are not vaccinated or are only partially vaccinated to wear an FDA-approved surgical mask in indoor settings where they are working with another person. This PIN will be effective on August 9, 2021. Facilities must be fully compliant with this PIN by August 23, 2021.
Residential Facility Testing: Per the order of the State Public Health Officer dated July 26,2021, the following modes of vaccination verification will be accepted:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the CDC or WHO Yellow Card)
containing the name of the person vaccinated, type of vaccine used, and date of the
last dose administered); OR - a photo of the Vaccination Record Card; OR
- a photo of the Vaccination Record Card stored on an electronic device; OR
- documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider.
- QR code must attest to the vaccine record’s legitimacy as an official record of the state
of California.
Note that diagnostic screening is not currently required for fully vaccinated workers who are asymptomatic. Licensees may continue routine screening for fully vaccinated facility staff who have underlying health conditions that could compromise the vaccine’s level of protection. Facility staff and residents exhibiting COVID-19-like symptoms should continue to be subjected to response testing by facility licensees regardless of vaccination status.
Those who work in a home where virus has been suspected or confirmed must wear NIOSH-approved respirators. Employers must provide unvaccinated employees with respirators such as N95s upon request under the COVID-19 ETS. All ASC residential facilities are covered by the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Everyone in the facility must wear N95 respirator when caring for a COVID-19 positive resident regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated workers must wear respirators.