Pasadena is the first in Southern California to demand that city workers be vaccinated against COVID-19

PASADENA (CNS) – Pasadena is set to become the first city in Southland to require all of its municipal workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 once one of the vaccines receives full Food and Drug approval Administration.

Pasadena City Manager Steven Mermell told City Council Monday evening that the vaccination policy was being worked out by staff.

City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said about 60% of the city’s 2,000 employees have reported being fully immunized so far.

“However, given the continued risk posed by COVID-19, the upward trend in positive cases and the Delta variant, a vaccination policy is the right thing to do to promote a safe work environment and protect health and safety. safety of City of Pasadena employees and the public we serve, ”Derderian said in a statement.

“… The city of Pasadena would be the first city to initiate this policy in Southern California and follows similar announcements from the University of California system, the Cal State system and the City and the San Francisco County who recently announced similar policies, ”she said. .

The UC System announced last week that it would require all students and staff to be vaccinated before they can resume in-person activities at UC facilities, whether or not any of the vaccines receive full FDA approval. .

All current COVID vaccines in the United States are administered under an “emergency use authorization”, but none have yet received full approval. There was no immediate timeline on when any of the vaccines could receive full approval.

Pasadena, which has its own health department, also announced Monday night that it would align with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and require people to wear masks in indoor public places, regardless their vaccination status.

“Due to the significant increase in the case rate over the past 3 weeks, Pasadena Public Health Department Director and Health Officer Dr Ying-Ying Goh will issue a health official order demanding face masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in public places and businesses, ”the city tweeted on Monday evening.

“The order will be finalized and released this week. While Pasadena’s case rates were lower than LA County last week, weekend case rates have continued to rise.”

Long Beach, which also has its own health department, announced last week that it would also align with the county’s interior masking order, which went into effect at 12:59 p.m. on Saturday. The county order was prompted by the increase in the number of cases, which officials say is fueled by the infectious “Delta” variant of the virus spreading rapidly among unvaccinated residents.

The warrant means customers are again required to mask themselves when entering any indoor public establishment, including retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants and workplaces. Meals inside remain open, but guests must remain masked when not eating or drinking.

There are nearly 4 million people in the county who have not been vaccinated, including 1.3 million children who are not eligible for vaccines.

According to Pasadena’s announcement on Monday on masking, “Pasadena now meets the CDC’s definition of ‘substantial transmission’ of COVID-19. Dr Goh continues to urge the public to #Get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and available at no cost. “

City health officials reported 51 new infections between Saturday and Monday, but no additional deaths. In total, Pasadena has reported 11,558 cases of COVID-19 and 351 deaths.