In an effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant and to strengthen the safety of the federal workforce, President Biden issued a directive last week requiring federal government employees to demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination status as a condition of working in a federal facility. For those federal employees unable to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, the directive imposes additional requirements to include the wearing of a mask, engaging in social distancing measures from employees and visitors, and consenting to “weekly or twice weekly” COVID-19 screening testing requirements.
Not as well publicized, but of more relevance to private sector employers including those that contract with the federal government, the directive also requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination status by the employees of federal contractors working “onsite” at federal agencies.
And while the directive is limited in scope as described above, employers should take note that a White House “fact sheet” issued in conjunction with the President’s directive states that “President Biden is directing his team to take steps to apply similar standards to all federal contractors” and that the Administration “will encourage employers across the private sector to follow this strong model.”
Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC) can read more here.