Secretary Dan Brouillette provides an update on DOE travel guidance.
March 16, 2020
minute read time
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to thank all of you at The Department of Energy (DOE) for your perseverance as we respond to COVID-19. Our senior staff is engaged with this effort every day, responding to developments and planning for contingencies.
In light of the rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19 and in accordance with a memorandum issued by the Office of Management and Budget on March 14, 2020, DOE is now authorizing mission-critical travel only.
Employees’ respective Head of Departmental Elements will determine what travel meets the mission-critical threshold and approve all domestic and international official travel until further notice.
I want to remind you to please continue taking common sense precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including washing your hands regularly. If you are feeling ill, please err on the side of caution and take leave or if you are able to consider teleworking in accordance with approved processes. If you are equipped with a laptop and other teleworking tools, please bring those home with you each night so that you are prepared to respond to evolving guidance regarding telework.
Finally, as a reminder, the COVID-19 Hotline has been established at 202-586-COVD (202-586-2683) or by email at COVID-19inquiries@hq.doe.gov for reporting potential or confirmed COVID-19 cases across the entire DOE Complex. The COVID-19 Hotline can also answer general, human resources, and non-emergency questions that federal employees, federal supervisors and on-site service support contractor employees may have. This mailbox is set up to accept secure emails. Please encrypt or password protect any communications containing personally identifiable information, such as an individual's name. The COVID-19 Response Team will follow up with you in an expeditious manner.
This is a challenging time for all of us and our families. I want to assure you that the Department is moving quickly to respond to this situation and that your health and safety remain the top priority.
Dan Brouillette
Secretary of Energy