COVID-19 Pandemic Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service are ensuring the safety and timely delivery of the U.S. food supply while protecting the health of USDA employees during this COVID-19 National Emergency. Various notices and resources are available to FSIS employees to provide guidance on performing your jobs safely. Review these latest resources.
Pandemic & Illness Resources
Vaccination Information
- Return to the Physical Workplace and Vaccination Requirement Update – The Office of the Secretary provided an update on employees returning to the physical workplace and vaccination requirements for Federal employees. To view the full message, visit OneUSDAIntranet. <eAuth is required>
- COVID Vaccination Requirement Update (01/24/22)<eAuth is required>
- Additional USDA Administrative Leave Flexibility for COVID-19 Vaccinations (08/12/21; PDF)
USDA Resources
- NEWLY REVISED Departmental Regulation on Telework and Remote Programs OneUSDA Intranet (11/30/21)
- FSIS COVID-19 Appendix (12/13/21; PDF)
- White House Memorandum
- USDA’s COVID-19 website – Includes FAQs about food safety
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on USDA’s Response to COVID-19 Workplace Safety (11/15/21; PDF)
- USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan (08/30/21; Revised 01/14/22; PDF)
Personal Protective Equipment
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Updated COVID Mask Guidance (03/04/22; PDF)
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Protective Equipment For Employees Stationed At USDA and FSIS Facilities (03/11/22; PDF, Table) | Instructions in FSIS Notice
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Protective Equipment for Inspection Program Personnel and In-Commerce Personnel (03/11/22; PDF, Table) | Instructions in FSIS Notice
- Information about Face Coverings/Masks and Face Shields(6/16/20)
- Corrected Item Numbers for Face Shields (6/17/20; PDF)
- COVID-19 Test Kit Availability Listing (01/24/22; PDF)
- Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for You and Your Household (01/19/22; PDF)
- FSIS Mask Requirements (07/28/21; PDF)
- Instructions on the Voluntary Use and Care of N95 Respirators (02/15/22; PDF)
Health and Safety
- Preventing Heat-Stress Illness (6/26/20; PDF)
- A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes (07/17/20)
- Hurricane Checklist (07/17/20)
- Handwashing (09/21/21)
Worker's Compensation & Leave
- Additional USDA Administrative Leave Flexibility for COVID-19 Vaccinations (08/12/21; PDF)
- Emergency Paid Leave (05/26/21; PDF)
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act Provision (05/07/20; PDF)
- Interim USDA Guidance on Administrative Leave for COVID-19 Vaccination (02/11/21; PDF)
- Leave & Time Code Usage (03/19/20; PDF)
- Worker's Compensation Claims Due to COVID-19 (04/21/20; PDF)
- CDC/DOL Issues Guidance to Industry (04/27/20)
- Facilities Serviced by USDA (03/20/20; PDF)
Public Health Guidance
- CDC Updates, Expands List of People at Risk of Severe COVID-19 Illness
- FAQs About Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- How to Protect Yourself
- Searchable List of all CDC Guidance Documents
- What to Do If You Are Sick
The Employee Assistance Program and WorkLife4You is Here to Help
In these unprecedented and unsettling times, feelings of stress, anxiety and uncertainty can intensify. As a reminder, Federal Occupational Health’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and WorkLife4You programs are available to provide free and confidential support to both you and your immediate family members. All services can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year, by calling 1-800-222-0364 (TTY: 1-888-262-7848) or by visiting www.foh4you.com or www.worklife4you.com (new user registration code: FSIS). For more information about EAP’s other resources, visit EAP’s Resource page at: Employee Assistance Program and WorkLife4You
Emergency Backup Dependent Care Program
The Emergency Backup Dependent Care (EBDC) program is designed to help employees when their regular child or adult care arrangements are disrupted. This benefit is available to all FSIS employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling Federal Occupational Health at 1-800-222-0364 or logging in to www.worklife4you.com (new user registration code: FSIS).
