Murphy Signs EO Lifting COVID-19 Testing Requirements in Congregate Care and Health Care Settings
A breakdown of Executive Order 325 issued on 4.3.23
4.3.23: Governor Phil Murphy has signed executive order 325 lifting the COVID-19 testing requirements for health care and congregate setting employees who were unvaccinated and granted exemptions.
The EO states that the testing of the unvaccinated ends, however, the COVID-19 vaccine requirement remains in effect and “up to date” is defined as: “received a primary series, which consists of either a 2-dose series of an mRNA COVID19 or protein subunit vaccine, or a single dose viral vector COVID19 vaccine, and the first booster dose for which they are eligible as recommended by the CDC.”
The Executive Order also states that settings can choose to maintain a COVID-19 testing/vaccination policy and that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require that most Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers’ and suppliers’ staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
The EO also states that settings: “must provide appropriate accommodations, to the extent required by federal or state law, for employees who request and receive an exemption from COVID-19 vaccination because of a disability, medical condition, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.”
Murphy’s 4.3.23 Executive Order states: “…continuing to require health care workers to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including the first booster dose for which they are eligible, can help prevent outbreaks and reduce transmission to vulnerable individuals who may be at higher risk of severe disease.” #COVIDSCIENCE
As per EO 325:
“The COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for high-risk congregate settings are hereby rescinded.”
“Health care settings shall no longer be required to maintain a policy that requires covered workers to submit to weekly or twice weekly COVID-19 testing.”
However, EO 325 states:
“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.”
“Nothing in this Order shall prevent covered settings from choosing to maintain a COVID-19 vaccination or testing policy, including but not limited to, one implemented pursuant to Executive Order No. 252 (2021) and Nos. 283, 290, and 294 (2022), or from establishing a COVID-19 vaccination or testing policy that includes additional or stricter requirements.”
“As of the date of this Order, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (CMS-3415-IFC) continues to require most Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers’ and suppliers’ staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“Up to Date” as defined by EO 325:
“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 COVID19 or protein subunit vaccine, or a single dose viral vector COVID19 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.”
Exemptions noted in EO 325:
“The policies adopted by health care settings pursuant to this Order must provide appropriate accommodations, to the extent required by federal or state law, for employees who request and receive an exemption from COVID-19 vaccination because of a disability, medical condition, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.”
#njinsanity continues…..
What does this even mean? Does this actually do anything other than pushing responsibility for oppressive measures onto others?