1

 USCCR COVID-19 Workplace Safety Protocols 

Issued September 30, 2022

Purpose

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ (USCCR or “the Agency”) COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace Plan 

(“Plan”) was developed to protect the USCCR’s workforce, contractors, other building occupants, and 

visitors to USCCR facilities and to cease the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

USCCR’s top priority is to protect its employees, contractors, and visitors to its facilities. This Plan 

endeavors to achieve that goal. Although the Plan is by necessity lengthy, USCCR employees are 

encouraged to read it and, most importantly, if they have recently been in close proximity to 

someone with Covid-19, whether at home or at work, or they themselves have tested positive for 

Covid-19, they are instructed to contact their supervisor or USCCR’s Human Resources Division 

regarding telework, quarantine, testing, leave, and other issues outlined in this Plan. 

This Plan supersedes the July 27, 2020, USCCR Return to Office Preparedness Guide and February 9, 

2022 and July 21, 2022, Covid-19 Safe Federal Workplace Plan. This Plan consists of safety principles 

implemented USCCR-wide at all official worksites around the nation and applies to all on-duty or onsite Federal USCCR employees, on-site Federal contractors, and any other person in USCCR space. 

This Plan will be updated consistent with new guidance and issuances from the Safer Federal 

Workforce Task Force, which is led by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, GSA, OPM, OMB, 

and, CDC,2 and other applicable federal and state authorities. USCCR follows the Task Force’s 

guidance, which is available here: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/. To the extent this Plan is 

inconsistent with any current or future applicable legal authorities, it will not be followed. This Plan 

applies to employees, onsite contractors, and visitors only while they are in the USCCR’s physical 

workspace and not while they are in other common areas of the building(s) USCCR occupies, for 

example, hallways and corridors, elevators, restrooms, and lobbies or foyers. GSA or commercial 

lease spaced policies are applicable to common areas. Finally, this Plan incorporates by reference all 

applicable provisions of the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s policies and FAQs contained here 

https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/. 

UPDATES IN THIS VERSION

• To ensure compliance with an applicable nationwide preliminary injunction, which may be 

supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal 

Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement 

pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for 

Federal Employees. Guidance has been provided to agencies on complying with the applicable 

nationwide injunction. Any aspects of these Model Agency COVID-19 Safety Principles related to 

the vaccination requirement pursuant to E.O. 14043 are not in effect and will not be 

implemented or enforced by agencies while the injunction is in place. Safer Federal Workforce 

Task Force (Task Force) guidance on other Federal agency safety protocols remains in effect, 

including the protocols described in this document.

• Consistent with CDC guidance, for most Federal workplaces, COVID-19 workplace safety 

protocols will not vary based on vaccination status or otherwise depend on vaccination 

information. Where this isthe case, agencies should pause requiring, requesting, or collecting 

vaccination status information from employees, contractor employees, and visitors.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set recommendations related to 

COVID-19 Community Levels, which measure the impact of COVID-19 illness on health and 
2

healthcare systems. Task Force guidance relies on CDC COVID-19 Community Levels county-level 

data to determine the appropriate prevention strategies to utilize at a given time, including with 

respect to requiring mask-wearing, encouraging consideration of physical distancing, avoiding 

crowding, and implementing screening testing for high-risk settings. In addition to guidance for 

agencies on monitoring COVID-19 Community Levels on a weekly basis, a chart providing an 

overview of Federal facility safety protocols by COVID-19 Community Level is below.

• Protocols have been updated consistent with CDC guidance for mask-wearing, physical 

distancing, screening testing, travel, post-exposure precautions, and isolation.

• For agency-hosted meetings, events, and conferences, there are no Government-wide 

restrictions, and agencies do not need to first seek approval of agency heads, regardless of the 

expected number of in-person participants or local COVID-19 Community Levels, unless 

otherwise required to do so by agency policy.

ROLE USCCR COVID-19 COORDINATION TEAMS

To be consistent with this guidance and OMB Memorandum M-21-15, USCCR will maintain its COVID-19 

Coordination Team. This team should, at a minimum, include a representative from: each component 

agency (if applicable); the appropriate human resources office(s); occupational safety and health 

experts; executive leadership; and legal counsel. The COVID-19 Coordination Team should include or 

consult with as needed the agency’s Senior Agency Official for Privacy. The team should meet regularly 

to: review compliance with agency COVID-19 workplace safety plans, protocols, and policies; consider 

and—following consultation with the Task Force—implement potential revisions to agency COVID-19

workplace safety plans, protocols, and policies consistent with Task Force and CDC guidance; ensure 

agency COVID-19 workplace safety plans, protocols, and policies are broadly communicated to agency 

employees and, as appropriate, onsite contractor employees, visitors to agency facilities, and in-person 

attendees at agency-hosted meetings, events, and conferences; and evaluate any other operational 

needs related to COVID-19 workplace safety. The team should coordinate all decisions with Facility

Security Committees, as appropriate. For privately owned facilities leased by the General Services 

Administration (GSA), the team should coordinate with GSA, where appropriate, and the lessor’s 

designated representative.

USCCR COVID-19 SAFETY PRINCIPLES

USCCR COVID-19 safety principles presented here are aligned with the latest COVID-19 guidance from 

the CDC for the general community. These principles will be reassessed over time, as conditions warrant

and as CDC guidance—as well as relevant guidance from other Federal agencies such as the Department 

of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)—is updated.

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC has set recommendations related to COVID-19 Community Levels, which measure the impact of 

COVID-19 illness on health and healthcare systems and inform the appropriate prevention strategies to 

utilize at a given time.

Frequently asked questions(FAQs) regarding local conditions can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
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CDC provides county-level data showing the COVID-19 Community Level for each county in the United 

States, as determined by CDC. Agencies should utilize that data in determining the COVID-19 Community 

Level for a given facility by looking to the COVID-19 Community Level for the county in which the facility 

is located.

USCCR will review the COVID-19 Community Level for each of their facilities on a weekly basis, to

determine any changes that should be made to agency COVID-19 workplace safety protocols for the 

upcoming week; for example, an agency could review the COVID-19 Community Level each Friday and 

implement any changes to agency safety protocols due to changes in the COVID-19 Community Level 

starting the following Monday.2

Overview of Federal Facility COVID-19 Safety Protocols by COVID-19 Community Level

Federal Facility COVID-19 Safety Protocols

When COVID-19

Community Level

is

LOW

When COVID-19

Community Level

is

MEDIUM

When COVID-19

Community Level

is

HIGH

Federal employee vaccination requirement

pursuant to E.O. 14043

No

implementation

or enforcement 

given a

nationwide

injunction3

No

implementation

or enforcement 

given a

nationwide

injunction3

No

implementation

or enforcement 

given a

nationwide

injunction3

To be consistent with Task Force guidance,

agencies would need to require

documentation of vaccination status from

employees, and ask about the vaccination

status of onsite contractor employees and 

visitors.

Pause, given 

that COVID-19

safety

protocols do

not vary by

vaccination

status

at this time4

Pause, given 

that COVID-19

safety

protocols do

not vary by

vaccination

status

at this time4

Pause, given 

that COVID-19

safety

protocols do

not vary by

vaccination

status

at this time4

Agencies must require all individualsto wear

a high-quality mask or respirator (such as 

an N95) regardless of

vaccination status.

NO5

(mask-wearing optional)

NO5

(mask-wearing optional) YES

Where agencies have established serial

screening testing programs and/or pointin-time screening testing requirements for 

certain agency-identified high-risk

settings,

6 screening testing must be 

implemented for individuals enrolled in the 

program or subject to the

requirement, regardless of vaccination status.

NO YES YES

To be consistent with Task Force guidance,

agencies would need to require symptom 

screening self-checks for all

individuals prior to entry to Federal facilities.

YES YES YES
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2 See also: Updated Implementation Guidance on COVID-19 Community Levels | Safer Federal Workforce

Task Force, Updated August 17, 2022

3 See Frequently Asked Questions Related to Compliance with the Applicable Preliminary Nationwide 

Injunction on Implementation and Enforcement of the Vaccination Requirement Pursuant to Executive

Order (E.O.) 14043 | Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, Updated August 17, 2022 4 Agencies with employee COVID-19 vaccination requirements unrelated to E.O. 14043 and pursuant to 

other authorities can continue to require documentation of proof of vaccination from employees 

subject to those requirements, as can agencies with other setting-specific dependencies on collecting

vaccination information from employees in those settings, in consultation with the Task Force, the

agency’s General Counsel, and the agency’s Senior Agency Official for Privacy. 5 Agencies may need to require individuals to wear masks in certain Federal facilities or workplaces, or

otherwise when Federal employees are on duty in certain settings, to be consistent with CDC guidance 

and other regulations.

6 For the purposes of this guidance, high-risk settings include certain Federal facilities—or certain 

specific settings within Federal facilities— where (1) COVID-19 transmission risk is high, and (2) the

population present onsite is at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 or there is limited access to

healthcare. Examples ofsuch settings provided by CDC include, “High-risk congregate settings, such as

assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters, that have demonstrated high 

potential for rapid and widespread virus transmission to people at high risk for severe illness” and 

“Settings that involve close quarters and that are isolated from healthcare resources (e.g., fishing 

vessels, wildland firefighter camps, or offshore oil platforms).”
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Federal Facility COVID-19 Safety Protocols

When COVID-19

Community Level

is

LOW

When COVID-19

Community Level

is

MEDIUM

When COVID-19

Community Level

is

HIGH

Agencies must instruct all individuals known 

to be exposed to COVID-19 to wear a highquality mask or respirator (such as an 

N95), take other post-exposure 

precautions, and watch for symptoms for 

10 full days after exposure, consistent with 

CDC guidance—instead of at-home

quarantine and regardless of vaccination 

status. Agencies must require individuals 

exposed to COVID-19 be tested at least 5 

full days (ideally, on or after day 6) after 

their last

exposure.

YES YES YES

Agencies must instruct all individuals with 

probable or confirmed COVID-19 to follow

agency isolation protocols

and take other precautions consistent with

CDC guidance.

YES YES YES

To be consistent with Task Force guidance,

agencies would need to make and maintain 

improvements to indoor ventilation and air 

filtration to the maximum extent

feasible.

YES YES YES

To be consistent with Task Force guidance,

agencies would need to post signage

encouraging individuals, regardless of

vaccination status, to consider physically 

distancing themselves from others and 

avoiding crowding in indoor common areas, 

meeting rooms, and high-risk settings in

Federal facilities.6

NO YES YES

Vaccination

Vaccination Requirements

FAQsregarding vaccination can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

NOTE: To ensure compliance with an applicable nationwide preliminary injunction, which may be

supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government

will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to E.O. 14043 on 

Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Guidance has been provided to agencies 

on complying with the applicable nationwide injunction. The vaccination requirement set forth in this 

“Vaccination Requirements” section pursuant to E.O. 14043 is not in effect and will not be implemented or 

enforced by agencies while the injunction is in place. Federal employees may be subject to COVID-19 vaccination 

requirements pursuant to agency authorities and must follow agency policies with respect to those 

requirements.
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To ensure the safety of the Federal workforce, Federal employees must be fully vaccinated, except in 

limited circumstances in which an employee is legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation.

Vaccination-Related Leave

FAQsregarding vaccination-related leave can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

NOTE: Employees who seek any non-required dose of FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine during work hours 

should be granted administrative leave and not use duty time. This includes employees who are not required to 

be vaccinated due to the nationwide preliminary injunction on implementation and enforcement of E.O. 14043. 

For those employees who are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by their agency pursuant to agencyspecific vaccination requirements, time spent receiving any required authorized COVID-19 vaccine dose must be 

duty time.
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When a Federal employee is required to be vaccinated, the time the employee spends obtaining any 

required COVID-19 vaccine dose (including travel time) is duty time; thus, there is no need for the 

employee to take administrative leave for such time during the employee’s basic tour of duty.

Employees may not be credited with administrative leave for time spent getting a required vaccine dose. 

If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the employee is unable to obtain the vaccine dose during basic tour 

of duty hours, the normal overtime hours of work rules apply.

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to provide employees with 

administrative leave to receive any non-required dose of FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to provide employees with 

administrative leave to address any side effects related to a recent vaccination. In addition, agencies 

would need to provide employees with administrative leave to accompany a family member being 

vaccinated. For this purpose, a “family member” is an individual who meets the definition of that term in 

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) leave regulations (see 5 CFR 630.201).

See Task Force FAQs on vaccination-related leave for more information about the use of duty time and 

administrative leave, including how much duty time or administrative leave agencies should provide for 

the above circumstances.

Vaccination Documentation and Information

Consistent with CDC guidance, for most Federal workplaces, COVID-19 workplace safety protocols 

currently do not vary based on vaccination status or otherwise depend on vaccination information. 

Where this is the case, agencies should pause any efforts to require, request, or collect vaccination 

status information from any individual—including employees, contractor employees, visitors to agency 

facilities, or in-person attendees at agency-hosted meetings, events, and conferences—for the purposes 

of implementing agency COVID-19 workplace safety protocols.7

When agencies pause requiring, requesting, and collecting vaccination status information, such agencies 

must continue to preserve their vaccination information collection systems and the information 

collected to date from employees in accordance with the Federal Records Act and other records 

requirements. Furthermore, it is important to preserve this information as COVID-19 workplace safety 

protocols may change in the future, or collection of this information from Federal employees may

7 Agencies with employee COVID-19 vaccination requirements pursuant to authorities other than E.O. 

14043 may continue to require documentation of proof of vaccination from employees and potential 

FAQsregarding vaccination documentation and information can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

FAQs regarding contractors can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

FAQs regarding visitors can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

NOTE: Agencies should take no action to require or request employees and potential employees to provide 

information about their COVID-19 vaccination status solely for purposes of implementing the vaccination 

requirement pursuant to E.O. 14043, due to the nationwide preliminary injunction on implementation and 

enforcement of E.O. 14043.
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employees subject to those requirements, as can agencies with other setting-specific dependencies

on collecting vaccination information from employees in those settings. Such agencies should consult

with the Task Force, the agency’s General Counsel, and the agency’s Senior Agency Official for 

Privacy on such requirements, including related to information collection.
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otherwise need to resume. See Task Force FAQs on vaccination documentation and information for 

more information about how agencies should maintain any documentation provided by employees 

regarding vaccination.

Mask-Wearing

When the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in a county where a Federal facility is located, pursuant to

E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance, USCCR will require individuals—including employees, 

contractor employees, and visitors—who are 2 years or older, to wear a high-quality mask indoors in the 

facility, regardless of their vaccination status. This includes when Federal employees are interacting with 

members of the public as part of their official responsibilities.

Nothing in CDC or Task Force guidance precludes an individual from wearing a mask, if the individual so 

chooses when the COVID-19 Community Level is LOW or MEDIUM. When the COVID-19 Community 

Level is LOW or MEDIUM in a county where a Federal facility is located, in most settings, to be 

consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to communicate to individuals, such as 

through signage, that mask-wearing is optional, and should not otherwise require individuals to wear a 

mask, except where required by Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, or local laws, rules, regulations, or 

existing collective bargaining agreements. Should an agency identify unique operational circumstances 

in certain agency workplaces that may require other or additional prevention measures, it should 

consult with the Task Force regarding exceptions, per the Exceptions section below.

When agencies require that individuals wear a “high-quality” mask or respirator when COVID-19 

Community Levels are HIGH, and when agencies instruct individuals to wear a “high-quality” mask or 

respirator for post-exposure and post-isolation precautions, to be consistent with Task Force guidance, 

agencies would need to inform individuals that high-quality masks or respirators include respirators that 

meet U.S. or international standards (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94), masks that meet a standard (e.g., ASTM), 

or “procedure” or “surgical”-style masks. Agencies should otherwise avoid limiting the types of masks 

that can be worn by individuals in Federal facilities. 

When individuals are required to wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) in Federal 

facilities, agency mask-wearing protocols should reflect that:

• Masks and respirators should be well-fitting and worn consistently and correctly (over mouth 

and nose).

• Masks or respirators should be worn in any common areas or shared workspaces (including 

open floorplan office space, cubicle embankments, and conference rooms).

• Individuals do not need to wear masks or respirators when outdoors.

USCCR may provide for limited exceptions to mask-wearing, such as when an individual is alone in an office 

with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door, or for a limited time when an individual is eating or drinking 

and maintaining distance from others.

Masked individuals may be asked to lower their masks briefly for identification purposes in compliance 

with agency safety and security requirements.

FAQsregarding mask-wearing can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
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Signage and Online Notice of Mask-Wearing Requirements

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to post and update physical signs and 

post information online on agency websites making clear what mask-wearing requirements apply in 

each Federal facility.

When the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in a county where a Federal facility is located, to be 

consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to post physical signs providing notice of the 

requirement for all individuals to wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as N95) indoors in the 

facility pursuant to E.O. 13991.

When the COVID-19 Community Level is LOW or MEDIUM in a county where a Federal facility is located, 

to be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to post physical signs providing notice 

that mask-wearing is optional.

Screening Testing

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies should not implement COVID-19 serial or point-intime screening testing8 in other Federal facilities, or for other settings, roles, and functions within 

Federal facilities, beyond those identified by agencies for high-risk settings, as described below, absent 

an approved exception from the agency head following consultation with the agency COVID-19 

Coordination Team, including the agency Office of General Counsel, and the Task Force.

 

8 Screening testing is intended to identify people with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic or do not have 

any known, suspected, or reported exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC 

guidance states that, “Screening testing can provide important information to limit transmission and 

outbreaks in high-risk congregate settings.” Screening testing helps to identify unknown cases so that 

measures can be taken to prevent further transmission. Screening testing is separate and distinct from 

diagnostic testing, which is intended to identify current infection in individuals and is performed when 

a person has signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or is asymptomatic, but has recent known

or suspected exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Examples of

screening testing include: (1) Point- in-time screening testing: This is screening testing that happens on 

a situational basis, such as before an event or visit; and (2) Serial screening testing: This is screening 

testing that is repeated at different points in time within a group, such as periodic testing for everyone 

in a particular setting or facility.

9 To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies should not implement COVID-19 serial screening

testing in other Federal facilities, or for other settings, roles, and functions within Federal facilities, 

beyond those identified by agencies for high-risk settings, absent an approved exception from the 

agency head following consultation with the agency COVID-19 Coordination Team, including the agency 

Office of General Counsel, and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force.

FAQsregarding testing can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
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When COVID-19 Community Levels are MEDIUM or HIGH, asymptomatic individuals (without a known 

exposure to someone with COVID-19 within the past 10 days) who are enrolled in a serial screening 

testing program established for agency-identified high-risk settings, if any, should be tested at least 

twice weekly for any week during which they work onsite or interact in person with members of the 

public as part of their job duties in that agency-identified high-risk setting.10

Testing may be conducted at a Federal facility or offsite as determined by USCCR. The test can be both

self-administered and self-read by the employee if the agency has the employee certify as to when they 

took the test and that they received a negative result. See Task Force FAQs on testing for more 

information regarding serial screening testing.

Official Travel

There are no Government-wide limits on official travel (i.e., travel conducted under an official travel 

authorization), regardless of an individual’s vaccination status. Individuals should follow the travel policy 

of the agency sponsoring the official travel.

In approving official travel, USCCR official travel should:

• Inform the traveling individual that CDC recommends that individuals make sure they are up to 

date with COVID-19 vaccines before travel;

• Recommend that the traveling individual consider being tested for current infection with a viral 

test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel;

• Instruct the traveling individual to adhere strictly to CDC guidance for domestic and 

international travel before, during, and after official travel;

• Instruct the traveling individual to check their destination’s COVID-19 Community Level before 

traveling, and to wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) while on-duty and

10 To be consistent with Task Force Guidance, agencies should not implement serial screening testing

when COVID-19 Community Levels are LOW. 11 To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies should not establish point-in-time screening 

testing requirements for access to other facilities, settings, meetings, events, or conferences, absent

an exception approved by the agency head following consultation with the agency COVID-19 

Coordination Team, including the agency Office of General Counsel, and the Task Force. To be 

consistent with Task Force Guidance, agencies should not implement point-in-time screening testing 

when COVID-19 Community Levels are LOW.

FAQsregarding official travel can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
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around others indoors at their destination, if the COVID-19 Community Level in the county 

where their destination is located is HIGH;

• Instruct the traveling individual to make sure they understand and follow all travel restrictions 

put in place by State, Tribal, local, and territorial governments; and

• Advise the traveling individual to prepare to be flexible during their travel, as restrictions, 

policies, and circumstances may change during their travel.

 

Travel for Individuals with Known Exposure

For asymptomatic individuals who have had a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 within the 

past 10 days, agencies may approve official travel, consistent with the agency’s travel policy. If the 

individual remains without COVID-19 symptoms before traveling, then pursuant to E.O. 13991 and 

consistent with CDC guidance, the agency must instruct the individual to, in addition to other standard 

pre-travel instructions related to COVID-19:

• Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) the entire time they are on-duty and 

around others indoors for the full duration of their travel that falls within the 10 full days after 

their last known exposure;

• Not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if they will not be able to 

wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) when around others indoors for the full 

duration of their travel within the 10 full days after their last known exposure; and

• Follow other aspects of post-exposure protocols, including the requirement for individuals with 

a known exposure to be tested for COVID-19 after 5 full days following their last known 

exposure (ideally, on or after day 6)—note that this testing may need to occur while the 

individual is traveling, and that agencies do not need to require that employees wait for the 

results of this post-exposure diagnostic test to undertake official travel, including return travel.

If the individual develops COVID-19 symptoms after official travel has been approved, then pursuant to

E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance, the agency must instruct the individual to not undertake 

further official travel, including under that previously approved travel authorization, and to instead 

follow agency protocols consistent with the Task Force guidance on travel for individuals with COVID-19 

symptoms (see next section).

Travel for Individuals with COVID-19 Symptoms or a Positive COVID-19 Test

Pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance, agencies must not approve official travel (i.e., 

travel conducted under an official travel authorization) for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms 

and are waiting for an initial diagnostic viral test result, and agencies must not approve official travel for 

individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 for at least 5 full days after their first day of 

symptoms, or after the date of the initial positive diagnostic viral test for asymptomatic individuals.

If an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 has returned to working onsite at an agency workplace 

or interacting with members of the public as part of their official responsibilities (once they are feverfree for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their other symptoms are 

improving), then the agency may approve official travel for the individual. Pursuant to E.O. 13991 and
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consistent with CDC guidance, the agency must instruct the individual to, in addition to other standard 

pre-travel instructions related to COVID-19:

• Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) the entire time they are on-duty and 

around others indoors for the full duration of their travel that falls within the period they are 

otherwise required to wear a high-quality mask or respirator after ending isolation, consistent 

with Task Force guidance;

• Not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if they will not be able to 

wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) when around others indoors for the full 

duration of their travel that falls within the period they are otherwise required to wear a highquality mask or respirator after ending isolation, consistent with Task Force guidance; and

• Follow other aspects of post-isolation protocols.

If after official travel has been approved, the individual’s COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, then 

pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance on isolation, agencies must instruct the 

individual to not undertake further official travel, including under any previously approved travel 

authorization, and to again not enter a Federal facility or interact with members of the public as part of 

their official responsibilities, restarting at day 0 of isolation protocols.

Meetings, Events, and Conferences

For USCCR-hosted meetings, events, and conferences, there are no Government-wide restrictions, and 

agencies do not need to first seek approval of agency heads, regardless of the expected number of inperson participants or local COVID-19 Community Levels, unless otherwise required to do so by agency 

policy.

All in-person attendees at any meetings, conferences, or events hosted by Federal agencies must 

comply with relevant COVID-19 safety protocols, including as it relates to any mask-wearing when 

COVID-19 Community Levels are HIGH, pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance.

Symptom Screening

If a Federal employee, contractor employee, or visitor has fever or chills, or if they have other new or 

unexplained symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as new or unexplained onset of cough, shortness 

of breath, or difficulty breathing, new or unexplained loss of taste or smell, or new or unexplained 

muscle aches, they should not enter a Federal workplace. If an individual suspects that they have COVID19, such as because they have new or unexplained COVID-19 symptoms, but they do not yet have test 

results, they should not enter a Federal workplace and should get tested if they have not already done 

so.

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, USCCR will require that all employees and contractor 

employees working onsite at an agency workplace and all visitors to Federal facilities complete 

symptom screening before entering a Federal facility. Agencies also would need to require that all 

employees complete symptom screening prior to interacting with members of the public in person as

FAQs regarding meetings, events, and conferences can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

FAQsregarding symptom screening can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
14

part of their official responsibilities. Symptom screening can be self-conducted and does not

need to be verified by agency personnel. In developing these tools, USCCR adapts the screening tool 

developed by CDC. 

Pursuant to E.O. 13991, agencies must require that any individual, regardless of vaccination status, who 

develops fever, chills, or other new or unexplained symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or who tests 

positive for COVID-19, while onsite during the workday immediately wear a high-quality mask or 

respirator (such as an N95) and promptly leave the workplace. Pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent 

with CDC guidance, the agency must require individuals who disclose that they have tested positive for 

COVID-19 to follow agency protocols on isolation.

Post-Exposure Precautions

If an asymptomatic individual has a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, CDC does not 

recommend quarantine at home, and so USCCR will not prevent the individual from entering Federal 

facilities or interacting with members of the public in person as part of their official responsibilities due 

to quarantine protocols.

Pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance on post-exposure precautions, agencies must 

instruct individuals who are known to have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, regardless of their 

vaccination status, to:

1. Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) while indoors at an agency workplace or 

interacting indoors with members of the public in person as part of their official responsibilities 

as soon as possible after notification of exposure and continue to do so for 10 full days from the 

date they were last known to have been exposed;

2. Take extra precautions, such as avoiding crowding and physically distancing from others, when 

they know they are around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 while 

onsite at an agency workplace or interacting with members of the public in person as part of 

their official responsibilities, for 10 full days from the date they were last known to have been 

exposed; and

3. Watch for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 full days from the date they were last known to have been 

exposed.

For purposes of calculating the 10 full days, day 0 is the day of their last known exposure to someone 

with COVID-19, and day 1 is the first full day after their last known exposure.

As part of agency testing protocols, and pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance, 

agencies must require that such employees and contractor employees who are known to have been 

exposed to COVID-19 and are onsite at an agency workplace or interacting with members of the public

in person as part of their official responsibilities be tested for current infection with a viral test at least 5 

full days after their last known exposure (ideally, on or after day 6). The test can be both selfadministered and self-read by the employee if the agency has the employee certify as to when they took 

the test and that they received a negative result.

If the individual tests negative, then pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance, the 

agency must instruct the individual to continue to follow the above precautions for 10 full days from the

FAQsregarding post-exposure precautions can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
15

date they were last known to have been exposed. If they test positive, or if they at any time develop 

COVID-19 symptoms, they must follow agency protocols on isolation.

If the individual that has been known to be exposed to COVID-19 is not working onsite at an agency 

workplace or interacting with members of the public in person as part of their official responsibilities 

within 10 days of the known exposure, then the agency should not require them to be tested.

If the individual that has been known to be exposed to COVID-19 had tested positive for COVID-19 with 

a viral test within the previous 30 days and subsequently recovered and remains without COVID-19 

symptoms, then they do not need to get tested after a known exposure. If the individual that had been 

known to be exposed to COVID-19 had tested positive for COVID-19 with a viral test within the previous 

31-90 days and subsequently recovered and remains without COVID-19 symptoms, then they should be 

tested using a viral antigen test. (See also: CDC guidance on specific testing recommendations for those

that have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days.)

Isolation and Post-Isolation Precautions

Any individual with probable or confirmed COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, must not 

enter a Federal facility or interact with members of the public in person as part of their official 

responsibilities, consistent with CDC guidance on isolation and the workplace safety protocols set forth 

by their agency, and monitor their symptoms.

This includes people who have an initial positive diagnostic viral test for COVID-19, regardless of 

whether or not they have symptoms, and people with symptoms of COVID-19, including people who are 

awaiting test results or have not been tested.

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to allow individuals who tested positive 

for COVID-19 and never developed symptoms to return to working onsite at an agency workplace or 

interacting with members of the public as part of their official responsibilities after 5 full days following 

their positive COVID-19 test (day 0 being the day the individual was tested).

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to allow individuals who tested positive 

for COVID-19 and had symptoms to return to working onsite at an agency workplace or interacting with 

members of the public as part of their official responsibilities after 5 full days from the onset of 

symptoms (day 0 being the day of symptom onset), once they are fever-free for 24 hours without the 

use of fever-reducing medication and their other symptoms are improving. Note that loss of taste and 

smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

If an individual had moderate illness (if they experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) 

or severe illness (they were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or they have a weakened immune system, 

then to be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies would need to advise the individual to delay 

returning to working onsite at an agency workplace or interacting with members of the public as part of 

their official responsibilities for a full 10 days. If an individual had severe illness or has a weakened 

immune system, they should consult their healthcare provider before ending isolation. If an individual is 

unsure if their symptoms are moderate or severe or if they have a weakened immune system, agencies 

should advise the individual to talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.

FAQsregarding isolation and post-isolation precautions can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
16

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, agencies should not use a test-based approach to determine 

when, after having tested positive for COVID-19 and isolated, an individual can return to working onsite 

at an agency workplace or interacting with members of the public as part of their official duties, absent 

an exception approved by the agency head following consultation with the agency COVID-19 

Coordination team, including the agency Office of General Counsel, and the Task Force.

Once an individual has returned to working onsite at an agency workplace or interacting with members 

of the public as part of their official responsibilities after having tested positive for COVID-19 and

isolated consistent with CDC guidance on isolation, then pursuant to E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC 

guidance, the agency must instruct the individual to continue to take precautions consistent with CDC 

guidance for at least 10 full days after their first day of symptoms, or after the date of a positive viral

test for asymptomatic individuals, including wearing a high-quality mask or respirator (such as an N95) 

when around others, avoiding eating and drinking around others, avoiding environments such as dining 

facilities, gyms, or other places where they may need to be unmasked around others, and avoiding being 

around people who they know are at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19.

As it relates to mask-wearing after returning from isolation, agencies may also inform such individuals 

that they can opt to take two viral antigen tests authorized by the FDA to detect current COVID-19 

infection, starting on day 6. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, the individual may 

remove their mask sooner than day 10. If either of their antigen test results are positive, the individual 

should continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until they have two sequential negative 

results. This may mean that the individual would continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.

If at any point their COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, agencies must instruct the individual to again 

not enter a Federal facility or interact with members of the public as part of their official responsibilities, 

restarting at day 0, consistent with E.O. 13991 and CDC recommendations on isolation and the protocols 

set forth by their agency.

Confidentiality and Privacy

All medical information collected from individuals, including vaccination information, test results, and 

any other information obtained as a result of testing and symptom monitoring, will be treated in 

accordance with applicable laws and policies on confidentiality and privacy, and will be accessible only 

to those with a need to know. Agencies should consult their Senior Agency Officials for Privacy on 

matters related to the collection and handling of personally identifiable information and identify a point

of contact for all questions relating to personal medical information.

Workplace Operations

Improving Ventilation and Air Filtration

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, USCCR will make and maintain improvements to indoor 

ventilation and air filtration throughout Federal facilities to the maximum extent feasible, regardless of 

COVID-19 Community Levels. In consultation with occupational safety and facilities experts as 

appropriate, agencies should consider making use of portable air cleaners with high-efficiency

FAQsregarding building operations can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

FAQs regarding facilities can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.

FAQs regarding signage can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
17

particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor common areas and meeting rooms, particularly where ventilation 

or air filtration is otherwise challenging to improve, where crowding cannot be avoided, or in high-risk 

settings. Agencies may reference the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air in Buildings Challenge

for potential steps to improve indoor air quality, as well as CDC guidance on ventilation in buildings. 

Facilitating Physical Distancing and Avoiding Crowding

To be consistent with Task Force guidance, when COVID-19 Community Levels are MEDIUM or HIGH, 

USCCR will post signage encouraging individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to consider avoiding

crowding and physically distancing themselves from others in indoor common areas, meeting rooms, 

and high-risk settings in Federal facilities. Pursuant to E.O. 13991, CDC guidance for physical distancing 

in specific settings, including healthcare and high-risk congregate settings, must be followed, as 

applicable. 

When COVID-19 Community Levels are MEDIUM or HIGH, USCCR may consider establishing occupancy 

limits for indoor common areas and meeting rooms in Federal facilities, and in high-risk settings within 

Federal facilities, where necessary, including where ventilation and air filtration is challenging to 

improve or crowding cannot otherwise be avoided.

Telework and Remote Work

USCCR will utilize telework and remote work consistent with the principles set forth in OMB 

Memorandum M-21-25, OPM guidance on telework and remote work, agency post-reentry work 

environments, and agency telework and remote work policies.

EXCEPTIONS

E.O. 13991 directs agencies to, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, require compliance 

with CDC guidance with respect to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and other public

health measures by: on-duty or onsite Federal employees; onsite Federal contractors; and all persons in 

Federal buildings or on Federal lands. E.O. 13991 also provides that heads of agencies may make 

categorical or case-by-case exceptions to the extent that doing so is necessary or required by law, and 

consistent with applicable law. Agencies should consult with the Task Force prior to an agency head 

approving any such exceptions.

If agencies have implementation challenges or operational circumstances that may require other or 

additional prevention measures beyond those set forth in Task Force guidance, or otherwise require the 

agency to adopt COVID-19 workplace safety protocols that differ from Task Force guidance unless for 

reasons of following setting-specific CDC guidance, agencies should consult the Task Force regarding 

exceptions, prior to implementing any such other or additional measures or protocols.

Pursuant to E.O. 13991, Federal agencies must follow CDC guidance related to certain settings where 

different or additional layers of prevention are recommended by CDC, including, for example, travel and

the indoor transportation corridor, schools, health care settings, congregate settings, and correctional

facilities. Where there is a conflict with more general Task Force or CDC guidance, agencies must follow 

the setting-specific CDC guidance.

Frequently asked questionsregarding exceptions can be found on SaferFederalWorkforce.gov here.
18

In addition, to be consistent with Task Force guidance, where a locality has imposed additional 

pandemic-related requirements more protective than those set forth in Task Force guidance, agencies 

would need to follow those additional local requirements in Federal buildings, in Federally controlled 

worksites, on Government-operated transportation conveyances, and on Federal land in that locality. 

For example, if a locality has imposed mask-wearing requirements for indoor facilities, agencies would 

need to apply those requirements in Federal facilities, even if not otherwise required under agency 

mask-wearing protocols.