Oregon: Frontline workers get their shot

Answer These Four Questions (or Check Out the Two Lists) to See if Your Employees are Considered "Frontline Workers"

Gov. Kate Brown announced today that all “frontline workers” will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines beginning Monday, April 5 (next Monday).

This has raised several questions among employers, OBI members, and employees who are left wondering if their employees can be considered "frontline" or not. Here is a four-point test to answer that question:

1. Does the employee have routine contact (15 minutes or more) with others outside of their household because of their job?

2. Is the employee unable to safely maintain six feet of distance from others while performing the job?

3. Is the employee unable to perform their job duties from home or another remote location that limits contact with people outside of their household?

4. Is the job represented in the broad industry list defined by the CDC as essential? This includes the entire list, categories 1a, b and c.

If the answer to all of those questions is yes, the employee is considered a frontline worker who qualifies for the vaccine beginning April 5.

Companies need to apply these tests to different employee groups within their organizations. If they have some employees working remotely who do not meet the test, they are not considered frontline workers. The state is providing discretion to employers to make the determination of who is a frontline worker.

Or if you are more of an info graphic person, check out this info graphic including a bullet point list provided by the Oregon Health Authority (see page 2).

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Oregon Business & Industry at communications@oregonbusinessindustry.com for more information on frontline workers. And be sure to check their COVID Resources page.