Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing
Federal Agencies Required to Enforce Masking and Distancing
What it does
Agencies must require on-duty and on-site federal employees, contractors, and all persons in federal buildings or on federal lands to wear masks, maintain physical distance, and follow CDC guidance.
Real-world impact
- Requires mask-wearing and physical distancing in federal buildings and on federal lands.
- Creates a Safer Federal Workforce Task Force to issue health and safety guidance.
- Directs agencies to develop federal employee testing plans and provide masks when available.
Topics
Summary
This order requires mask-wearing, physical distancing, and other CDC-recommended precautions in federal workplaces and on federal lands to help halt the spread of COVID-19. Agency leaders must immediately require on-duty and on-site federal employees, federal contractors, and anyone in federal buildings or on federal lands to follow these measures.
The order also creates a Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, directs health officials to develop a federal testing plan, encourages nationwide outreach on masking, and asks agencies to provide masks when possible to protect workers and keep government services running.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”