New Santa Clara County Health Order for Higher-Risk Settings
City of Milpitas - Office of Economic Development | January 5, 2022
Required Vaccinations for Employees in Higher-Risk Settings
In light of the significantly more transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant, Santa Clara County Department of Public Health issued a new Health Order requiring workers in "higher-risk settings" to be fully vaccinated, and obtain their booster shot when they become eligible. Vaccinated individuals reduce the likelihood of becoming infected and spreading infection to others, becoming seriously ill, requiring hospitalization, and dying. Individuals working in higher-risk settings (1) can expose highly vulnerable individuals who are at increased risk of severe illness and death, (2) must be protected from COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible to ensure adequate staffing in these critical settings, and (3) in the case of jails, shelters, and skilled nursing facilities, can cause large outbreaks if infected. "Higher-risk settings" is defined as settings that involve working in shared air space or proximity to people who are at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID because of age or underlying medical condition, as well as congregate settings where outbreaks are likely to occur. Specifically, the following settings are noted in the Order:
  • skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, adult day care facilities, and memory care facilities;
  • healthcare delivery facilities (such as hospitals, clinics, medical offices, dialysis centers, etc.) where patient care is provided, as well as medical first responders;
  • jails and other correctional facilities; and
  • congregate shelters.

This Health Orders applies to all individuals including temporary and part-time personnel. By January 24, unvaccinated personnel must have received their first dose and other personnel must be fully up-to-date with their vaccinations, including receiving a booster shot if eligible. Personnel who are not in compliance by February 1, 2022, may no longer work at higher-risk settings.

Full details of the Health Order can be found here.
Reminder: Indoor Masking Required and Negative Test Required
for Indoor Mega Events Until At Least January 15, 2022
The California Department of Public Health issued an updated guidance requiring masks to be worn indoors statewide, regardless of vaccination status, through at least January 15, 2022. Masks serve as an additional measure of protection as we see more cases of the new Omicron variant in our communities. Full details of this updated guidance can be found here. Santa Clara County is already in alignment with the updated State guideline, since Santa Clara County's most recent Public Health Order already requires face coverings to be worn indoors at all times regardless of vaccination status. In addition to the mask requirement, individuals attending indoor Mega Events (defined as crowds greater than 1,000 indoors) who are not fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative test prior to entering. The test must have been taken within one day for antigen tests and within two days for PCR tests. Vaccines remain an important tool in fighting serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Click here to see where you can get vaccinated or get your booster shot.
If you have any questions or need business assistance, please visit our website. Additionally, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Economic Development team by sending us an email. Assistance is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages. The pandemic has created hardship for Milpitas families and businesses alike. Please know that we stand with you as you navigate your way out of the pandemic. We are here to help you!

In community spirit,
Alex Andrade
Director of Economic Development
(408) 586-3046
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