The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) announced it has implemented a policy requiring its employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by April 29, 2022. 

“We have a responsibility to protect our employees and the public and help bring an end to this devastating pandemic,” said Carolyn Gonot, VTA GM/CEO. 

Health experts recommend vaccination as the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and greatly reduce the chance of serious illness.

The policy requires VTA’s more than 2,000 employees and contractors to report their vaccination status by April 29, 2022. Until now, the agency’s workforce vaccination rate of approximately 61% was based on voluntary reporting, with the exception of new employees, who were required to be vaccinated as of August 1, 2021. The policy does not currently include booster shots.

Employees will have the option to request an exemption for medical or religious reasons. If approved, the exemption would require unvaccinated employees to be tested weekly for COVID-19. Those who are not approved for an exemption must be fully vaccinated by April 29, 2022. 

VTA is making it convenient for employees to get tested and vaccinated for COVID-19, with regularly scheduled, free, on-site clinics at various VTA divisions. 

VTA joins several neighboring transit agencies in implementing this policy, including BART, AC Transit, Caltrain, Muni, SamTrans, SMART, and Golden Gate Transit.