From: The Office of the Secretary - OSEC

Subject: UPDATED: COVID Mask Guidance

Date: Friday, March 4, 2022 11:50:48 AM

Attachments: usda-county-level-mask-requirements-3-4-2022.xlsx

county-covid-community-levels-030422.png

This email is intended for USDA employees only

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Dear USDA Employees,

We want to provide an important update on masking protocols at USDA facilities and worksites. Last

Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations

for mask wearing and other prevention measures depending on the level of COVID-19 in your

community. This change represents a significant shift from focusing on transmission rates to now

focusing on minimizing the impact of severe COVID-19 illness, minimizing the burden on the health

care system, and protecting the most vulnerable. The high rates of vaccination, availability of

boosters, and infection-induced protection coupled with the broad access to vaccines, therapeutics,

and testing significantly contributed to this shift.

As you know, the Federal government follows CDC guidance. Earlier this week, we received initial

implementing guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force on masking and testing. The

guidance requires that we implement different protocols for masking and testing based on the level

of COVID-19 in the county where the USDA facility/worksite is located. COVID-19 levels will be

determined on a weekly basis. Accordingly, whether masking and testing is required at a particular

USDA facility or worksite will also be determined on a weekly basis.

The initial implementing guidance that follows applies specifically to masking. The new CDC

guidance on testing requires us to re-design our approach to screening testing; as soon as we are

able, we will issue implementing guidance around testing. Additionally, note that guidance around

social distancing (six-feet or more), travel (mission-critical only), and meetings (more than 50+

requires approval) remain in place until CDC and the Safer Federal Workplace Task Force determine

otherwise.

Initial Implementing Guidance on Masking Protocols

CDC has provided the attached county-level data showing the COVID-19 Community Level for each

county in the United States. Each county is identified as low, medium, or high, which is determined

by looking at the number of hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of

new COVID-19 cases in an area. Based on the county Community Level, USDA facility masking

protocols will be as follows:

Where the COVID-19 Community Level is LOW in the county where a USDA facility or
employee worksite is located: Individuals are not required to wear masks in the facility or

worksite, regardless of vaccination status.

Where the COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM in the county where a USDA facility or

employee worksite is located: Individuals are not required to wear masks in the facility or

worksite, regardless of vaccination status. Additional guidance on testing protocols in medium

communities will be provided soon.

Where the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in the county where a USDA facility or

employee worksite is located: Individuals are required to wear masks in the facility or

worksite, regardless of vaccination status and consistent with CDC and Safer Federal

Workforce Task Force guidance on mask-wearing. Additional guidance on testing protocols in

high communities will be provided soon.

Additionally, where a locality imposes more protective pandemic-related safety requirements, those

requirements must be followed in USDA facilities or employee worksites within that locality.

All individuals can wear a mask if they choose regardless of COVID-19 Community Level.

Employees Who Work in Multiple Counties

Employees who perform official duties in more than one county must follow protocols for the county

they are in. In other words, an employee is required to wear a mask while working in a facility or

worksite in a county where the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH, but that same employee is not

required to wear a mask while working in a different facility or worksite where the COVID-19

Community Level is LOW or MEDIUM.

Employees Who Live and Work in Different Counties

Masking protocols are based on the location of the facility at which an employee works. Employees

will follow the masking protocols for the county in which they work even if the county in which they

live has a different COVID community level.

Masking Due to Quarantine, Isolation or COVID-19 Exposure or Positive Test

People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 must wear a mask for

the required period consistent with CDC and Task Force guidance for quarantine and isolation. See

the CDC and Task Force guidance for details

County-Level Data

On Fridays, the COVID-19 community levels will be shared across USDA to guide masking protocols

for the following week. The data that we are sharing today will be for masking protocols that will be

in effect Sunday, March 6 through Saturday, March 12. In future weeks, we expect to leverage the

“Big 3” email that goes out to all employees on Fridays to share the information.
Labor Relations

Although this guidance is being implemented today, USDA Agencies and Staff Offices are expected to

engage in post-implementation bargaining with their respective unions, as appropriate.

Impact on Other Workplace Safety Protocols

Other safety protocols established in our Workplace Safety Plan remain in place, and we expect

more changes as the health situation evolves and we receive updated guidance from the Safer

Federal Workforce Task Force. We will continue to provide updated protocols including on testing as

they become available, and the USDA Workplace Safety Plan and FAQs will be revised.

We recognize that the change in the masking guidance is a significant change and is a transition that

may feel abrupt or unsettling to some employees. Although masks will no longer be required in

LOW or MEDIUM COVID community levels, some colleagues will choose to continue wearing masks

in the workplace. We need to honor their choices and demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and

respect for one another. 

If you have any questions about this guidance, please email futureofwork@usda.gov. You may also

view the attached map on the CDC website. Thank you for all that you do for USDA and the people

we serve.

Sincerely,

The Future of Work Task Force

To the extent this policy may constitute a change in a condition of employment for bargaining

unit employees, agencies/offices will implement it in accordance with the terms of their

current labor agreement and 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71. If you are a bargaining unit employee and

have questions regarding the content of this message and its potential impact on a current

labor agreement, please refer them to your local union representative.