CDPH Temporarily Waives COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Health Care Workers

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Saturday issued updated guidance for health care workers and emergency medical services personnel to help address staffing shortages in care delivery systems.

Under the new guidance, health care works and emergency medical services personnel who test positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without isolation and without testing. Those who have been exposed and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without quarantine and without testing. These personnel are required to wear an N95 respirator for source control. These waivers are in place from January 8, 2022, through February 1, 2022.

CDPH updated the following guidance consistent with these changes: CDPH Isolation & Quarantine Guidance; All Facilities Letter 21-08.7; and Notice to EMS Providers.