Vaccinated California employees face workplace restrictions

California’s workplace regulators are extending the state’s coronavirus pandemic regulations into next year with some revisions that employers say could worsen the labor shortage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- In a move criticized by business groups and hailed by labor advocates, California's workplace regulators on Thursday extended the state's coronavirus pandemic regulations into next year with revisions that employers said could worsen the state's severe labor shortage.

The revised rules require that vaccinated but asymptomatic workers who come in close contact with someone infected with the virus must wear masks and stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) from others for 14 days if they return to work.

The current rules allow those employees to keep working without restrictions unless they show symptoms — under the assumption that the vaccine generally will protect them.

An unvaccinated worker who comes in close contact with someone infected with the virus still must quarantine for two weeks.