New guidance – Governor and U.S. CDC

We were all surprised by the U.S. CDC new guidance<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html> which allows fully vaccinated Americans not to wear face coverings indoors. This will be effective on May 24, 2021 in accordance with the Maine Executive Order.
The Maine State Library expects further clarification from Maine CDC/DECD on the Public and Community Building<https://www.maine.gov/decd/checklists/public-and-community-buildings> checklist. All checklists are currently undergoing review and changes. Please continue current practices of mask wearing and physical distancing until May 24.
We can answer and/or collect questions at tomorrow’s statewide Zoom meeting in addition to talking about ARPA.

MSL- Statewide Conversations

Continuing Conversations - ARPA and Coronavirus

Day and Time: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 03:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

https://zoom.us/j/91388170107?pwd=b0g5OGtvbGR3Yjczc2t5ZFAzOXAvdz09

Meeting ID: 913 8817 0107

Summary and Timelines:
Executive order dated April 28, 2021<https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/sites/maine.gov.governor.mills/files/inline-files/EO%2095%2037.pdf> – No masks are required in outdoor settings. Mask are required in all public setting indoors.
Executive order dated May 13, 2021<https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/sites/maine.gov.governor.mills/files/inline-files/EO%2096%2038.pdf> – Beginning May 24, 2021, indoor gathering limits and in-store customer limits are no longer necessary to protect the public health. No physical distancing requirements.
May 14 communication from Governor Mills<https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/maine-adopt-us-cdcs-new-covid-19-guidance-2021-05-14> – Note: This is not yet an executive order but an announcement that Maine will adopt the U.S. CDC new guidance on masking<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html> on May 24, 2021. This guidance says: “fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”
Libraries will need to work with their governing bodies (municipalities and governing boards) and should take into consideration when the Public and Community Building Checklist<https://www.maine.gov/decd/checklists/public-and-community-buildings> is updated.
Vaccinations and staff – workplace guidance from EEOC

  *   The EEOC’s position is that asking or requiring employees to provide information on whether or not an employee was vaccinated is not a disability-related inquiry under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Some resources:

  *   What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws<https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws> (U.S. EEOC)
  *   Can My Employer Ask if I Got a Coronavirus Shot?<http://galesupport.com/mainegeo?pl=http://search.proquest.com/newspapers/can-my-employer-ask-if-i-got-coronavirus-shot/docview/2503294748/se-2?accountid=17222> (Wall Street Journal)
  *   Want to Know if Your Employees Received the COVID-19 Vaccine? Some Best Practices to Consider<https://www.natlawreview.com/article/want-to-know-if-your-employees-received-covid-19-vaccine-some-best-practices-to#google_vignette> (National Law Review)
  *   When Employers Can Require COVID-19 Vaccinations<https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/coronavirus-mandatory-vaccinations.aspx> (Society for Human Resource Management)

Deep dive this weekend and today after vacation!
Stay well.
Janet



Janet McKenney
Director, Library Development
Maine State Library
SHS 64
230 State Street
Augusta, ME 04333

207-287-5603
[log in to unmask]
@janetmckenney (Twitter)