Team USDA,

Today, a district court judge in Texas issued a nation-wide injunction temporarily halting the government’s implementation of the president’s Executive Order 14043, which required, with appropriate exceptions, COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees. 

USDA remains committed to protecting the safety of our workforce. USDA’s Workplace Safety Plan and corresponding FAQs remain in place, with the limited exception that USDA is pausing its actions to implement the vaccine mandate. However, employees, visitors and onsite contractors must still wear masks in accordance with workplace safety protocols, USDA is still adhering to its occupancy limits and the restrictions on official travel remain in place.

Additionally, USDA’s Workplace Safety Plan requirement that onsite contractors and visitors must provide a Certification of Vaccination form prior to entry remains in place. Those onsite contractors and visitors who are not yet vaccinated or who decline to provide information on their vaccination status must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test from no earlier than three days prior upon arrival to their host.

Thank you for your continued service and all you do for USDA. We will provide further guidance as it becomes available. 

Sincerely,

The COVID-19 Task Force 

**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