Low Workplace Community Level Requirements.

Masking. Masks are optional when the Workplace Community Level is low.  This means that personnel are not required to wear facial covering except where risk assessments for non-COVID-19 work have determined that face coverings are required.

• Staff are permitted to voluntarily wear face coverings. Supervisors may not prohibit the use of facial covering except where a risk assessment has determined that face coverings create an additional hazard. 

  Personnel choosing to wear a mask should refer to the Facial Coverings section of the COVID-19 Safety Guidance for helpful information.

• Supervisors may not mandate face coverings to be worn in specific locations.
• Staff may choose to use a KN95 or N95 in place of a surgical mask or multi-layer cloth facial covering. If staff opt to use an N95 they must enroll in the NIH Voluntary Respirator Use Program.

We recognize that mask wearing is a personal decision based on risk profiles that may not be obvious to others. This includes having an underlying condition that puts the person at high risk for COVID-19 or having a household member who is unvaccinated or at high risk for COVID-19. It is important that we respect a staff member's decision to wear or not to wear a mask during optional mask wearing periods.

Physical Distancing.  Physical distancing is not mandatory when Workplace Community Level is low. These restrictions are lifted for all non-healthcare and non-healthcare support locations, including offices, conference rooms, laboratories and common areas. Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (SFWT) recommends that in scenarios where the vaccination status of personnel is unknown or when personnel are not vaccinated that staff maintain 6 feet pf physical distancing.

Population Density.  Population density limits are not mandatory when Workplace Community Level is low.

Testing. Testing of staff (including unvaccinated staff) is voluntary when the Workplace Community Level is low. Staff will still have access to asymptomatic testing at most locations.

Meetings. When workplace community levels are "Low", in-person meetings of any size are permitted.  Organizers of meetings with 50 or more in-person attendees must notify the Office of Research Services using the form found here. Meeting organizers are encouraged to offer hybrid meeting formats (in-person with supplemental virtual attendance) to reduce anxiety of staff that have been avoiding large gatherings during the pandemic. 

Meetings with less than 50 attendees do not require a written plan, but organizers are encouraged to complete the meeting form above to reduce risk associated with meetings. The form contains helpful considerations for holding a safe meeting. 

Medium Workplace Community Level Requirements.

Masking. Masks are encouraged but optional when the Workplace Community Level is medium.  This means that personnel are not required to wear facial covering except where risk assessments for non-COVID-19 work have determined that face coverings are required. However, staff may want to consider voluntary facial covering use to reduce workplace transmission.

• Staff are permitted to voluntarily wear face coverings. Supervisors may not prohibit the use of facial covering except where a risk assessment has determined that face coverings create an additional hazard. Personnel choosing to wear a mask should refer to the Facial Coverings section of the COVID-19 Safety Guidance for helpful information.

• Supervisors may not mandate face coverings.
• Staff may choose to use a KN95 or N95 in place of a surgical mask or multi-layer cloth facial covering. If staff opt to use an N95 they must enroll in the NIH Voluntary Respirator Use Program .

We recognize that mask wearing is a personal decision based on risk profiles that may not be obvious to others. This includes having an underlying condition that puts the person at high risk for COVID-19 or having a household member who is unvaccinated or at high risk for COVID-19. It is important that we respect a staff member's decision to wear or not to wear a mask during optional mask wearing periods.

Physical Distancing.  Physical distancing is mandatory when the Workplace Community Level is medium. Personnel must maintain 6 feet of distancing at all times. Where 6' cannot be maintained, additional control measures (such as masks or additional PPE) may be required.

Population Density. Supervisors should consider limiting density to 1 person per 35 square feet when the Workplace Community Level is elevated to medium. Consider workplace flexibilities such as reducing onsite population, increasing telework, working in shifts, or changing the orientation of seating and workspaces in offices, laboratories, and shared spaces.

Testing. Unvaccinated staff will be required to tested on a weekly basis.  This testing may be performed through the Asymptomatic Testing facilities at each site or through proctored antigen testing.  Information on asymptomatic testing may be found here.

Meetings. When workplace community levels are "Medium", in-person meetings of any size are permitted. However, staff should use the form found here for all meetings.

• For meetings of 10 or fewer people this form must be completed and the results communicated to meeting attendees.  
• For meetings of 11-49 attendees, organizers should consider consulting with DOHS if they need assistance with the form. 
• Organizers of meetings with 50 or more in-person attendees must notify the Office of Research Services using the form found here. The form should be submitted to the Office of Research Services through the email address listed in the form instructions. DOHS approval will be required prior to the meeting.  This form must be submitted no less than four weeks prior to the meeting.

Meeting organizers are encouraged to offer hybrid meeting formats (in-person with supplemental virtual attendance) to reduce anxiety of staff that have been avoiding large gatherings during the pandemic. 

High Workplace Community Level Requirements.

When the Workplace Community Level is elevated to “High" the NIH requires that all personnel and operations return to requirements outlined in the NIH COVID-19 Safety Plan. The NIH COVID-19 Safety Plan can be found here.