The Biden administration has released details on its requirement for federal contractors to have their employees vaccinated for COVID-19, including a compliance date.
Covered contractors must ensure all covered employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than Dec. 8, 2021, unless the employee is legally entitled to an accommodation.
After that, all covered contractor employees must be fully vaccinated by the first day of the period of performance on a newly awarded covered contract.
If a federal agency has an urgent need for a covered contractor to have its employees begin work before becoming fully vaccinated, the agency head may approve an exemption. If an exemption is granted, employees must be fully vaccinated within 60 days of beginning of work on a contract.
Guidance for federal contractors released on Sept. 24, 2021, by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force includes requirements for masking and physical distancing, and designating a person to coordinate COVID-19 workplace safety efforts.
The guidance contains answers to frequently asked questions about the contractor requirements.
Some federal contractors have been struggling to get employees vaccinated.
Just half of workers at two critical Naval shipyards are vaccinated, according to govexec.com.
Part of President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination still to come from: OSHA regulations for employers with 100 or more employees to have their workers vaccinated against COVID-19.
