The health and safety of all Federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and individuals interacting with the Federal workforce are of paramount concern for the Administration. The Federal Government and the Department of Energy (Department or DOE) are committed to addressing essential work requirements and ensuring a workplace consistent with best public health practices. 

As set forth in the January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13991 “Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing,” the policy of the Administration is “to halt the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by relying on the best available data and science-based public health measures”. This Framework has been developed in accordance with relevant orders and guidance, including: the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum M-21-15, COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace: Agency Model Safety Principles, issued January 24, 2021; OMB memorandum M-21-25, Integrating Planning for a Safe Increased Return of Federal Employees and Contractors to Physical Workplaces with Post-Reentry Personnel Policies and Work Environment, issued June 10, 2021; Safer Federal Workforce Task Force COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Agency Model Safety Principles, updated September 15, 2022;, and relevant court orders; guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force; updated U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines; and other Federal guidance.

This Framework outlines the requirements to protect the health and safety of the workforce in DOE facilities and for the safe accomplishment of the DOE mission in a COVID-19 environment. The Framework is a living document that will be updated as needed to account for changing COVID-19 conditions, Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance, Exceptions, and CDC guidance.