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NJ Governor's Executive Order 325 Ends COVID Testing - April, 2023

The following questions were posed to the NJ Department of Health pertaining to EO 325.  Please see their answers below:

Question? If an employee was let go because they were not vaccinated and didn’t apply for religious or medical exemption can they now be hired. Understanding that they are considered non compliant.

Answer. Section 3 of the EO requires that “3. Health care settings shall continue to be required to maintain a policy that requires covered workers to provide adequate proof that they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations pursuant to Executive Order No. 252 (2021) and Nos. 283, 290, and 294 (2022), and Paragraph 2 of Executive Order No. 281 (2022).”

Section 8 of the EO requires that “8. For purposes of this Order, consistent with the definition provided by Executive Order No. 294 (2022), a covered worker of a health care setting shall be considered “up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations” if they have received a primary series, which consists of either a 2-dose series of an mRNA COVID[1]19 or protein subunit vaccine, or a single dose viral vector COVID[1]19 vaccine, and the first booster dose for which they are eligible as recommended by the CDC. Covered workers of health care settings will only be considered up to date with their vaccinations when they have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is currently authorized for emergency use by the FDA or the World Health Organization, or that are approved for use by the same. Covered workers of health care settings who are not up to date with their vaccinations, or for whom vaccination status is unknown or who have not provided sufficient proof of documentation, must be considered noncompliant”

Still effective is the provision of EO 283, which required that “The policies adopted by covered settings pursuant to this Order must include a disciplinary process for covered workers’ noncompliance, which may include termination of employment.” Facilities should continue to follow their disciplinary process. This is not new and facilities should continue to follow the disciplinary processes that were established for covered workers’ noncompliance.

Question?  Confirming that If healthcare worker has a religious or medical exemption so is unvaccinated under past EO they need to test at least once a week (or twice if community transmission is high). Under EO 325 I want to confirm that the testing is no longer needed unless employer wants it.

Answer. Correct, routine testing, even of the non-vaccinated, is no longer required. However, if an employer would like to test, they are certainly allowed to conduct the testing.

NJ Governor's Executive Order 292 Ends Public Heath Emergency (Waivers remain)

NJ Governor's Executive Order 290 Extends Vaccination Dates

** IMPORTANT ** NJ Governor's Executive Order Requiring Vaccinations

By Order of the Governor (Executive Order #283 – dated January 19, 2022), health care workers (including all home health care workers) have until Jan. 27 to get their first vaccine dose, and their second dose by Feb. 28. 
 
Health care workers who are already fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster shot will have until Feb. 28 to get the booster.  Those who are not eligible yet for a booster will have up to three weeks after they are eligible to get the booster. 
 All covered workers will be required to be vaccinated and boosted and will no longer be permitted to submit to testing as an alternative to vaccination.
 
There are exemptions from vaccination because of a disability, medical condition, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. 
 
NOTE: Please reference the Executive Order for exemptions.
CAHC has no further information.
  
Download Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 283 (Highlighted) from CAHC’s Website
 

** IMPORTANT ** New Jersey Update - January 12, 2022

New Jersey  Governor Phil Murphy issues Executive Orders # 280 and # 281
 
The applicable sections of these Executive Orders for Home Health Care Service Firms allow the continuation of supervising nurses being able to conduct required 60-day client/patient plan-of-care reassessment evaluations and CHHA supervisions by phone or video-chat instead of in person.  As stated in the Executive Orders, they take effect immediately and shall
remain in effect until revoked or modified by the Governor.
 
View Executive Order # 280
View Executive Order # 281
View Executive Order # 281 Appendix
 
 You may also view and/or download the original rule waiver of March 25, 2020 by clicking the link below.
 
View ORIGINAL Rule Waiver
 

Federal

CMS

"Good to Know" Resources

1. 1stRCF.org – this is a nonprofit that all Health Care Workers (hospital, home health aides, LTC) can apply to for grants to help with expenses and also will reimburse hotel rooms if people want to self-quarantine.
 
2. projectn95.org/ – this is a nonprofit that connects you with legitimate vendors to supply PPEs. You can put in your request on-line and then they send you the list of vendors that have what you need.
 

Leading Age - New Jersey & Delaware

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