COVID-19 Vaccines Now Mandatory for California Teachers, School Staff

California on Wednesday became the first state to require teachers and other school staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or else have to undergo weekly tests.

The announcement, made by Gov. Gavin Newsom, comes as a growing number of public and private employers nationwide implement vaccination mandates amid surging COVID-19 cases driven by the highly transmissible delta variant, The New York Times reported.

"To give parents confidence that their children are safe as schools return to full, in-person learning, we are urging all school staff to get vaccinated. Vaccinations are how we will end this pandemic," Newsom said in his announcement. "As a father, I look forward to the start of the school year and seeing all California kids back in the classroom."

Last month, Newsom said California would require health care workers and state employees to be vaccinated or to be tested at least once a week, The Times reported. On Thursday, state health officials made the requirement even more stringent for many, removing the testing option for more than 2 million health care workers in the state.