On Fridays, USDA continues to share the CDC’s COVID-19 community levels to guide masking protocols for the following week. Across the country, the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing. This week, 2,444 counties are LOW, 483 counties are MEDIUM, and 297 counties are HIGH. Washington, DC, has moved to MEDIUM for this week. 

The CDC COVID community levels and masking protocols for the week of Sunday, May 22, through Saturday, May 28, can be found here. As a reminder, masks are required in HIGH COVID community levels.

The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings.

Also, CDC indicates that you should not travel if you have COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test, or had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine. The CDC also recommends that individuals consider getting tested for current infection as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel. 

Every home in the United States is eligible to order a third round of free at-home COVID-19 tests.

For additional information see the latest:

• Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Guidance
• USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan
• USDA Screening Testing Program Guidance
• Frequently Asked Questions on USDA’s Response to COVID-19 Workplace Safety

1. My COVID-19 community level has increased to MEDIUM or HIGH, what do I need to do to screen contractors and/or visitors at my facility?

When the COVID-19 community level is MEDIUM or HIGH in a county where a federal facility is located, visitors and onsite contractors to that facility should be asked to provide information about vaccination status via the Certification of Vaccination form. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or who decline to provide information about their vaccination status should be able to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 3 days prior to entry to that facility. 

Individuals entering a federal building, federally controlled indoor worksite or federal land to obtain a public service or benefit do not need to complete the form or show documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result. However, they must comply with all relevant CDC guidance and safety protocols, including mask-wearing and physical distancing requirements based on the COVID-19 community level.

2. Should in-person attendees at meetings, conferences and events hosted by a USDA agency or office be asked to provide information about vaccination status?

It depends. For meetings, conferences and events hosted by a USDA agency or office at a facility in a county where the COVID-19 community level is MEDIUM or HIGH, all in-person attendees should be asked to provide information about their vaccination status. For these meetings, conferences and events, in-person attendees who are not fully vaccinated or decline to provide information about their vaccination status should provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test completed within the previous 3 days and comply with relevant safety protocols, consistent with their vaccination status. USDA will comply with any applicable federal laws, including requirements under the Privacy Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act. 

Meetings, conferences or events that will be attended in-person by more than 50 participants at a facility in a county where the COVID-19 community level is HIGH require approval ahead of time by USDA’s COVID-19 Coordination Team (sradvisorcovid@usda.gov).

3. Who will be enrolled in the screening testing program?

USDA employees who have not submitted proof they are fully vaccinated will be enrolled in their agency’s screening testing program and are receiving additional communication directly from their agency. Employees enrolled in the screening testing program will be tested each week that they are required to work onsite in a federal building or worksite that is located in a county where the COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM or HIGH, as required by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance.

Employees may submit proof of vaccination, including booster shots. Employees should contact their supervisor or pandemic coordinator with questions about submitting proof of vaccination.

The Big Three: 18

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.