As of Wednesday, everyone was again required to wear face masks inside of Department of Energy buildings located in areas with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission, the agency announced in an email blast.
“[E]ffective immediately, face coverings must be worn by everyone in all DOE buildings and leased spaces that are in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status,” reads Wednesday’s email. “As of today, that includes the Washington, DC area. Employees will be notified by leadership regarding requirements based on current transmission rates and if transmission rates change requiring a modification mask guidance at DOE sites.”
DOE handed down the directive after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention recommended Tuesday that even people vaccinated against COVID-19 resume wearing face masks indoors, if they are in geographical regions where the disease is spreading rapidly.
With a few exceptions, anyone entering affected DOE buildings must wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, as recommended by the CDC and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, according to the email. People should wear masks in “garages, hallways, snack bars, cafeterias, elevators, and restrooms,” during “all face-to-face meetings” and at security checkpoints.
Those who are alone in an office with a door that closes can remove their masks, as can people who are eating or drinking, provided they are at least six feet away from anyone else, according to the email.
“Individuals who have a medical or religious reason why they cannot wear face coverings may request an accommodation, as appropriate,” DOE said in the email.
DOE nuclear sites in areas of substantial or high transmission at deadline, according to the CDC, included:
The Hanford Site in Benton County, Washington state.
The Kansas City National Security Complex in Kansas City, Mo.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif.
The Nevada National Security Site in Nye County, Nev., which has satellite offices in Las Vegas.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
The Paducah Site in Paducah, Ky.
The Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas.
The Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Savannah River Site in Aiken, S.C.
