 Attention all DHS Workforce Members:
From: DHS Executive Leadership
Date: Thursday March 30th
As you know, Los Angeles County has announced plans to end its COVID-19 Emergency declaration on March 31. In addition, the California Department of Public Health has announced that it will be rescinding a number of COVID-19 public health orders effective April 3, 2023. The federal government has also announced its intent to end the national emergency and public health emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11, 2023.
As the County, the State, and the Nation begin the transition to the next phase of the COVID-19 response, please know that DHS remains fully committed to protecting the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and staff.
During this transition, we expect to see announcements regarding changes to vaccination and masking requirements for LA County workforce members, as well as for patients and visitors to our facilities. Having said that, health care workers will likely continue to have a set of requirements that are different from other LA County workforce members and departments due to federal, state and local orders —as has been the case throughout the pandemic.
As we await the forthcoming guidance from regulatory authorities, it is important to note that federal regulations on the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers continue to be in full effect. Workforce members at LA County Department of Health Services should continue to follow our current Expected Practices on COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as masking protocols at all DHS clinical care settings.
DHS will continue to closely monitor local, state and federal regulations and health officer orders and will announce any revisions to our Expected Practices as they are developed in response to the changing regulatory environment.
Finally, as the COVID-19 emergency declaration comes to an end, it is important to take a moment and acknowledge our collective role in getting us here. While no one could have predicted the sheer scale of the unprecedented pandemic, you have truly exemplified what it means to serve. The commitment and compassion that you demonstrated in caring for our patients and community over the last 3 years has been unparalleled.
To say that we are proud and grateful to have served alongside you during a time that was filled a lot of uncertainty and fear would be an understatement.
Thank you to each and every one of you, in every role.
Sincerely,
DHS Leadership
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