The new vaccine requirements, which were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September, were announced Thursday and will apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses. By Jan. 4, Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested for the virus weekly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations will force companies to require that unvaccinated workers test negative for COVID-19 at least once a week and wear a mask while in the workplace. People who work in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities that receive money from Medicare and Medicaid will not have an option for testing — they will need to be vaccinated. Workers will be able to ask for exemptions on medical or religious grounds.

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