Slow Start for Federal Mask Requirements

On July 27, the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Defense announced the implementation of mask mandates for all federal workers, contractors and visitors to federal in areas that have substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19 infections. Federal employees and “onsite contractors” will be required to “attest” to vaccination or be required to wear a mask. However, federal contractors nor agencies have received any implementation guidance which has resulted in confusion. Fundamental questions remain unanswered, including what is the scope of the mandate, who will bear the cost of testing, will contractors working at multiple offices or for multiple agencies be required to attest at each site. AGC has heard it could be as long as two weeks before guidance is issued. AGC will update our membership as soon as such guidance is released.

Lastly, it is important to note that the White House has not announced any initiative for mandatory vaccination for federal employees or contractors. It is uncertain whether this mask mandate or a more general vaccine mandate will be expanded to include all federal contractors.

For more information, contact jjordan.howard@agc.org or (703) 837-5368.