State Contractors Beware – Governor, Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 271

Governor, Phil Murphy signed Executive Order 271, which states that contractors are required to maintain a policy regarding COVID-19 vaccination and testing for designated contracts. EO 271 states that state contractors are required to ensure all covered workers are vaccinated or tested once a week. 

A “covered worker” means any Full-time or part-time worker for a covered contractor. A “fully vaccinated” worker must have received the second dose of an FDA/ WHO approved vaccine in a two-dose series or two weeks or more after they have received a single dose vaccine.

Covered workers may demonstrate proof of full vaccination status for vaccines approved by the EUA and “WHO” by providing the following documents:  

a. The CDC COVID-19 Vaccination card issued to the recipient by the vaccination site (Electronic or physical copy).

b. Official record from the New Jersey Immunization Information System or other State immunization registry.

c. A record from a healthcare provider’s portal/medical record system signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physicians’ assistant, registered nurse, or pharmacist.

d. A military immunization or health record from the United States Armed Forces.

e. Pocket mobile phone application record or any state specific application that produces a digital health record.  

To satisfy the testing requirement a covered worker must undergo screening testing at minimum one to two times a week. If a worker misses the week that testing is required, the contractor may not require the worker to submit testing for that week. Covered contractors must have a policy for tracking test results to local public health departments.

Covered contractors still must consider medical and religious exemptions on a case-to-case basis.  And covered contractors collecting vaccination information are required to comport with all federal and State laws regarding privacy.  If you have any questions about these current employment matters, give us a call. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable employment attorneys today.