While most feel the pandemic has subsided, there are still mounting cases of COVID and other SARS-related cases throughout the US. OSHA has eliminated most all COVID-specific regulations, reverting to standard infection control principles that have always been in place. The only lingering requirement is that masks must be worn in a healthcare setting where transmission is designated as “high” (defined by local ordinances). Despite this, many states still have mask regulations. The following summarizes these regulations at the time of this publication, limited specifically to rules involving a healthcare setting that would include an optometric practice (yes…this is a moving target).
STATES THAT RECOMMEND COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
All of these states generally allow individual practices to determine their own mask and other COVID-specific infection control measures.
STATES WITH SPECIFIC MASK RECOMMENDATIONS IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
Indiana, Kansas, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington
All of these states generally allow individual practices to determine their own mask and other COVID-specific infection control measures.
STATES WITH SPECIFIC MASK REQUIREMENTS IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
California (VERY confusing and conflicting standards but COA office confirms masks are required in ALL offices regardless of transmission status); Colorado (Still required in healthcare settings although many local entities tie the requirement to the classification of “high transmission” as defined by local public health entities); District of Columbia; New York; Oregon
Please note that many regulations established by city, county or other such subdivisions make it almost impossible to keep up with on a state-wide basis. You are encouraged to check for any local policies established by your state or local department of health.
