The agency’s COVID-19 Coordination Team will determine the appropriate scope of workplace closures—in some cases, it may be a suite or offices or part of a floor, in other cases, it may include an entire building.
Hygiene
Hand sanitizer stations are to be available at the building entrance and throughout workspaces, and should contain FDA-approved hand sanitizer, with at least 60% ethanol. Personnel will be encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand rubs frequently.
Ventilation and Air Filtration
Additional modifications may be considered in accordance with CDC guidance, including as density increases. To the maximum extent feasible, indoor ventilation will be optimized to increase the proportion of outdoor ventilation, improve filtration, and reduce or eliminate recirculation.
Visitors
The number of visitors to the Federal workplace should be minimized, and efforts should be made to conduct visits virtually where possible. Any visitor should be screened, tested if appropriate, and asked to fill out a symptom questionnaire form before entering the workplace. Mask wearing requirements will also apply to any visitors to Federal or federally leased facilities.
Staggered Work Times and Cohort-Based Scheduling
Personnel will be encouraged to stagger work times to reduce density, minimize traffic volume in elevators, and avoid crowds during commuting. Agencies are also able to implement cohort-based scheduling, to help reduce exposure. Agency HR teams should work with OPM to understand the pay and leave implications surrounding staggered work schedules and other flexibilities.
Elevators
Occupational health professionals in each agency should assess elevators to determine safe occupancy. Individuals must wear masks in elevators and in elevator lobbies. The use of stairs by those who are physically able is strongly encouraged. Signage will be posted to explain current procedures.
Shared Spaces
Shared tools and equipment must be disinfected by users anytime the equipment is used by or transferred to a new person, and disinfectant wipes will be provided by the agency. This includes phones, computers and other communication devices, kitchen implements, and other office equipment. Refrigerators, water coolers, and coffee brewers with disposable cups (or a personal re-usable cup/container) and single serve condiments and creamers may be used with proper hand hygiene. Visual markers may be installed to promote physical distancing within common spaces, and furniture may be removed. Steps may be taken to limit the number of people who can use common spaces at any one time, and signage outlining these limits should be prominently displayed.
