Healey mandates staff vaccines

Photo | State House News Service Attorney General Maura Healey

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By State House News Service

Attorney General Maura Healey will now require that all staff in her office get vaccinated against COVID-19, broadening a policy she announced in May that required certain public-facing employees be vaccinated when they return to in-person work.

The vaccine requirement will take effect on Sept. 27, when Healey's office is slated to resume in-person work on a hybrid basis, and will allow for medical and religious exemptions.

"With a more infectious variant and positive COVID cases on the rise, it's clear that this pandemic is not over," Healey said Wednesday. "I've said from the start that we need as many people as possible to get vaccinated. As my office plans for its scheduled in-person return next month, I have required that all staff be vaccinated to best protect the health and safety of our colleagues and the public we serve."

In mandating staff vaccinations, Healey joins Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Auditor Suzanne Bump, who each announced last week that their employees will be required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing when they move back into their offices.

Also on Wednesday, the Baker administration issued a public health order mandating staff vaccines in nursing homes and the two state-run soldiers' homes. Healey is also requiring that unvaccinated individuals wear masks or face coverings at all times in the AG's office, and that fully vaccinated people wear masks except for in personal offices or workstations.