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OSHA Says: Vaccinated Employees Should Still Mask Up

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April 1, 2021
Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo / lacustrine

As more and more essential workers receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, many are starting to question whether it is still necessary for them to continue to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and staying six feet apart. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the answer is yes, it is necessary.

The key issue is that at this time there is no definitive answer as to whether those who have been vaccinated can still carry and transmit the disease to others. Therefore, the workplace protocols that apply to unvaccinated employees apply equally to those who have had their vaccinations.

There’s no sure way to know whether you are a COVID-19 carrier.

According to the OSHA website:

You should wear a face covering even if you do not feel sick. This is because people with COVID-19 who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) and those who are not yet showing symptoms (pre-symptomatic) can still spread the virus to other people.

— OSHA.gov, JDSupra