All Connecticut healthcare workers hired during the pandemic — including those at home health agencies — must get fingerprinted by July 20 or be terminated. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is issuing the urgent warning to nursing homes, home health agencies and other healthcare providers.
An estimated 7,500 health care workers were hired between March 23, 2020, and May 19, 2021 when Gov. Ned Lamont (D) issued an executive order suspending required fingerprinting to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Service Employees International Union District 1199 New England, which represents nursing home workers, called on state officials last Friday to provide leniency to the employees and postpone the deadline until Sept. 20.
A spokesman for the state health department said approximately 3,000 of the healthcare workers have been fingerprinted so far but wouldn’t speculate about how many of the remaining workers are still employed at long-term care agencies.
Home healthcare agencies and nursing homes across Connecticut told local media outlets they are concerned about workers arriving at state police facilities in time to get fingerprinted, and whether the state will have the manpower to accommodate the procedure.
