On September 9, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14042 “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors”. Pursuant to the EO, covered contractors and subcontractors will be required to conform to the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s workplace safety protocols regarding: (1) COVID-19 vaccination of covered contractor employees, (2) compliance related to masking and physical distancing while in covered contractor workplaces, and (3) designation of a COVID-19 Safety Coordinator. The Task Force issued guidance requiring all covered contractor employees in the U.S. to be fully vaccinated by January 18, 2022, except in limited circumstances where an employee is legally entitled to an accommodation. This includes employees of a covered contractor (1) working on or in connection with a covered contract or (2) working at a covered contractor workplace. There are many complex specifications regarding these workplace safety protocol requirements, so for more detailed information please visit the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s website or consult with your legal counsel.
