Good morning,

Happy new year! Here is the next installment of the “Big Three” questions we are hearing from you. 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. When does the next phase of the return to the physical workplace begin?

As we said before the holiday break, we have modified our phased return to the physical workplace to allow for additional time, particularly given the rise of the Omicron variant in the last month. We continue to heed the safety protocols in place for those of you working onsite, which are consistent with current guidance from the CDC and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force. 

We will share more information about our phased return to the physical workplace by Jan. 14, 2022. As a reminder, the senior leadership cadre, who returned to the physical workplace on Dec. 1, may now utilize enhanced telework until further notice. We do not expect employees who are currently in maximum telework status to begin returning to the physical workplace until further notice. 

2. What is the current guidance for official travel?

Until further notice, all employees—regardless of vaccination status—should continue to limit official travel to mission critical activities. Mission critical refers to activities necessary for the ongoing operation of the department and its programs that cannot be performed remotely. Work-related travel must be assessed by managers to determine whether it meets the mission critical requirements, and managers should consider transmission rates in the community to which the employee travels. Additional information about travel can be found in the FAQs. 

3. What is the new CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation?

At the end of December, the CDC released new guidance which shortens isolation and quarantine periods.

• Isolation: Individuals who are infected with COVID-19 now have to isolate for only five days if they do not have symptoms or if their symptoms are resolving, regardless of vaccination status, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others.
• Quarantine: Quarantine is for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19. Individuals who are unvaccinated or in need of a booster now need quarantine for five days if they never become symptomatic and then wear a mask when around others for the next five days. If a five-day quarantine is not feasible, the exposed person should wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure. If someone who has been exposed experiences symptoms, this person should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms that the symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

We will continue to share information or relevant updates as soon as it becomes available. At this time, employees are considered “fully vaccinated” regardless of their booster status.

Read the first and second installments of the Big Three.