Minnesota employers scramble in response to federal vaccine rules

New standard means more than 4,500 employers across the state will mandate immunizations or require weekly testing

Nov 05, 20210

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune count

Jeff Smith, a registered nurse, administered a COVID-19 vaccine at the St. Louis County mobile vaccine clinic on May 5, 2021. Thousands of Minnesota employers have just weeks to comply with federal rules announced Thursday calling on workers to undergo COVID-19 vaccination or get tested.

Thousands of Minnesota employers have just weeks to comply with federal rules calling on workers to undergo COVID-19 vaccination or get tested weekly to show they've not been infected with the pandemic virus.

The rules weren't a surprise, but Thursday's announcement set the timeline and specified that employers won't have to cover testing costs.

Companies with 100 or more employees must ensure all their workers are fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, at which point those who are not must wear masks and undergo weekly testing, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-employers-scramble-in-response-to-federal-vaccine-rules/600113112/