This memorandum updates expectations and requirements outlined in previous memoranda regarding personal protective equipment, specifically facial coverings in response to COVID-19, at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) institutions and facilities. Effective immediately and until further notice, all civil service employees and contractors entering CDCR institutions and facilities shall abide by the procedures outlined in this memorandum.
This memorandum supersedes previous memoranda regarding facial coverings, including:
- December 6, 2021, Required COVID-19 Facial Coverings for all Institutional and Facility Staff
- January 7, 2022, Required COVID-19 Facial Coverings for all Institutional and Facility Staff
N95 masking
All civil service employees and contractors who enter or work in isolation or quarantine areas shall be fit tested and wear an N95 mask at all times.
The N95 mask requirement also applies to staff who transport and/or guard isolation or quarantine patients, and effectively supersedes parts of the December 27, 2021, COVID-19 Screening and Testing Matrix for Patient Movement memorandum that pertain to N95 masking. The matrix previously required all transportation staff to wear an N95 mask during all transfers. With the new requirement, transportation staff shall be fit tested and wear an N95 mask when transporting isolation or quarantine patients, or when entering or working in isolation or quarantine areas. For all other transfers, a KN95 mask shall be worn. A revised matrix is forthcoming, in the meantime, all other directives in the matrix continue to be in effect until further notice.
KN95 masking
All civil service employees and contractors who do not enter or work in isolation or quarantine areas shall wear a KN95 mask at all times while on CDCR institution/facility grounds.
The KN95 mask requirement also applies to staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, are asymptomatic, and return to work during contingency/critical staffing operations, and effectively supersedes parts of the January 7, 2022, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 Staff Exposure (Quarantine) Update memorandum that pertains to N95 masking. The January 7, 2022, memorandum previously required exposed and asymptomatic staff to wear an N95 mask while at work. With the new requirement, exposed and asymptomatic staff shall wear a KN95 mask while at work, except when fit-tested and entering or working in isolation or quarantine areas where an N95 mask is required. All other directives in the January 7, 2022, memorandum continue to be in effect until further notice.
The N95/KN95 mask requirement applies to all employees and contractors regardless of vaccination/booster status. N95/KN95 masks are readily available at each institution/facility and shall be provided to staff when requested.
As a reminder, leadership at each institution shall continue to monitor staff for compliance with facial coverings and physical distancing. Supervisors and managers shall utilize the progressive discipline process as outlined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 15, section 3392, Employee Discipline, and the Department Operations Manual (DOM), Article 22, Employee Discipline, to address staff who fail to comply with these directives. Supervisors and managers are also reminded to utilize DOM section 33030.8, Causes for Corrective Action, and section 33030.9, Causes for Adverse Action.
Current masking directives are posted online. This directive will be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary based on response to the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Additional details are forthcoming regarding N95 mask fit testing and religious and/or reasonable medical accommodation requests.
For questions or concerns, please contact your respective supervisor or manager.