SACRAMENTO - (INT) - Eliminating a major stumbling block to his plan for a smooth reopening of the California economy, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Thursday that he said would allow vaccinated workers in most jobs to go mask free beginning Friday.

Newsom signed the order following a vote from California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to align its rules for businesses and employees with the state’s reopening guidelines. Newsom’s order skirts a 10-day delay that would have been required under regulator Cal/OSHA’s rules and offers employers more clarity.

Cal/OSHA’s revisions eliminate physical distancing requirements, except for certain employees during outbreaks. Unless they show symptoms, fully vaccinated employees do not need to be offered testing or be excluded from work after close contact with a COVID-19-positive person.

The vote capped weeks of confusing flip-flops by the board.

Meantime, California Department of Public Health and California Department of Technology are finalizing the state's new digital COVID-19 verification option.

Story Date: July 4, 2021