The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is announcing today that all employees, interns, and volunteers in RIDOH-licensed healthcare facilities and all RIDOH-licensed healthcare providers must receive their final dose of COVID-19 vaccine by October 1, 2021, effective August 18th. “The most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, is vaccination,” said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. “For the safety of our healthcare workers, patients, and for our healthcare system overall, today’s announcement is a very important step.” The regulation applies to staff at RIDOH-licensed healthcare facilities, including those with direct patient contact and those who may not be involved in patient care. It also applies to individually licensed providers who utilize their license as part of their position in a healthcare facility. Prior to October 1st, any worker in a RIDOH-licensed healthcare facility who is not vaccinated is required to wear a face mask and be tested at least twice weekly.
