PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) â Oregon health care workers will be required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing, Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday.
Officials say the new rule will apply beginning Sept. 30 â giving time for employers to prepare for implementation and for unvaccinated health care workers to become fully vaccinated.
âThe more contagious delta variant has changed everything. This new safety measure is necessary to stop delta from causing severe illness among our first line of defense: our doctors, nurses, medical students, and frontline health care workers,â Brown said.
Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority to issue the new rule which applies broadly to personnel in health care settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials. The rule requires weekly COVID-19 testing for personnel and can be waived with proof of vaccination.