Iowa OSHA announced on Friday evening that they will not be enforcing the federal COVID Vaccination/Testing mandate. The city has therefore decided to pause implementation of this policy.
You may remember talk a while back of a federal vaccine/testing requirement for US workers. This was tied up in the courts but is now set to go into effect next week, January 10th. I’ve tried to highlight the important points in the bullets below but it is VERY IMPORTANT that you read the full policy (here).
- All employees are required to submit a declaration of current vaccination status and provide proof of vaccination (if applicable) by February 9, 2022 directly to the City’s Human Resources department though one of the following methods:
- By uploading an electronic copy to our secure, encrypted portal. Instructions for accessing the portal will be emailed to you at the email address you provide to your supervisor, director, or HR.
- By delivering a hard copy to the Human Resources department [Cyndee Rhames] at City Hall
- Employees that have not provided proof they are fully vaccinated or who do not have an approved exemption from testing will be required to test for COVID-19 in accordance with the procedures herein beginning the week of February 14, 2022. Testing will be at the employee’s own expense. Employees shall not obtain testing during their work hours and are not compensated for time to be tested.
- Unvaccinated employees who do not have an approved exemption from face coverings must wear proper face coverings over the nose and mouth when indoors and when occupying a vehicle with another person for work purposes.
I understand that this is a lot of information. If you have questions after reading the full policy, let me know. You can expect a follow up email from city hall within the next couple of days with a link to the reporting portal.