Good morning,

Here is the next installment of the “Big Three” questions we are hearing from you. On Fridays, USDA will share the CDC’s COVID-19 community levels to guide masking protocols for the following week. 

The CDC COVID Community Levels and masking protocols for the week of Sunday, March 13, through Saturday, March 19, can be found here.

As always, please continue to check our FAQs and the USDA Workplace Safety Plan, which are updated frequently, and reach out to futureofwork@usda.gov for any questions not already addressed.

Sincerely,

The Future of Work Taskforce

1. The community level in my county is green. May I wear a mask in the office if I choose to?

Yes, all individuals may wear a mask if they choose regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level. Although masks will no longer be required in counties with LOW or MEDIUM COVID-19 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.  

2. What mask protocol should I follow when traveling/living/working in multiple counties?

What mask protocol do I follow if I work in multiple counties? 

Employees who perform official duties in more than one county must follow the safety protocols for the county they are working 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 the 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. 

What mask protocol do I follow if I 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-19 community level. 

3. What is the masking protocol for visitors and contractors?

Visitors and contractors will follow the same masking guidance as USDA employees. While visiting or working in a facility in a county where the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH, visitors and contractors are required to wear a mask, but they are not required to wear a mask while visiting or working in a facility where the COVID-19 Community Level is LOW or MEDIUM. Even if a mask is not required to be worn, masks may be voluntarily worn by any employee, visitor or contractor at any facility or worksite.

Read the eighth installment of the Big Three.

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.