California now first state to require coronavirus vaccine or testing for teachers and school staff
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Less than a week ago, California became the first state in the nation to issue an order to require COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers by Sept. 30, to get at least one dose of the vaccination, allowing only for religious or rare medical exemptions.
Today, the state has now again become the first state to enact a rule requiring teachers and school staff to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or submit to regular testing.
California had already announced that masks are required for students and staff inside school buildings, and Newsom bragged that California took that step even before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended it.
The new policy takes effect Thursday and schools must be in compliance by Oct. 15.
Responding to questions, Newsom said he would consider vaccine mandates for students in the future “if necessary.”