B12_MISC_(COVID-19_Mask_Policy).pdf

UPDATED 13 May 2021: COVID-19 Mask Policy

Guidance below applies to a fully vaccinated person – which means, a person who is two weeks past their full vaccination dosage and not experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms.

• Update that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance

• Update that fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter

The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings. Fully vaccinated people can:

• Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance

• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel

• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States

• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings

• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic

• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible

For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:

• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

Guidance below applies to a non-vaccinated individual – which means, a person who is not two weeks past their full vaccination dosage and/or has not received any vaccination dosage at this time.

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order No. 13991: Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, setting a clear goal of halting the spread of COVID-19 by relying on the best available data and science, which includes the wearing of masks while around others, maintaining physical distancing whenever possible, and adhering to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Effective immediately, this order requires that all individuals in federal buildings and on federal lands administered by the NPS—including employees, contractors, volunteers, concessioners, partners, and visitors—wear face masks, as discussed further below. All onsite employees, contractors, and volunteers are required to wear a mask or face covering at all times while in Department buildings or on Federal public lands when physical distancing of 6 feet or more is not possible, and to take other precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

These new requirements for mask wearing and physical distancing follow CDC guidelines and apply to all federal employees, volunteers, partners, and contractors in federal buildings and on federal lands administered by the NPS. If an employee, contractor, volunteer, or other partner is unable to wear a mask properly or cannot tolerate a mask, the NPS will consider adaptations and alternatives on a case by case basis.

General Requirements When they are required to be worn, masks must cover the nose and mouth, and meet CDC and OSHA guidance. DOI will not allow novelty/non-protective masks, masks with ventilation valves, face shields as a substitute for masks, or masks with messages or graphics that DOI prohibits. Additionally, masks are not a substitute for physical distancing; even masked individuals should maintain physical distancing from their colleagues and the public.

Masks must be worn in common areas and shared workspaces in federal buildings (including open floorplan office spaces, cubicle embankments, and conference rooms). There are exceptional circumstances under which a mask may not be required indoors, such as when an individual is alone in an office with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door, when in private areas of NPS or concession housing units, or for a limited time when eating or drinking while maintaining distance in accordance with CDC guidelines. Masks are also required to be used in shared government vehicles and on federal property in outdoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained. For example, a mask may not be required for the entire hike on a trail but must be used when passing others on the trail.

While additional guidance is forthcoming, we ask that you take this into consideration for any applicable contract performance. Additional information will be provided when available.

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