NEW: Details on the White House COVID-⁠19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors

If your company (regardless of employee headcount) performs work on federal government contracts, then the government has some additional information for you on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and masking. And I’m here to fill you in on the three high points.

1. Covered contractors must ensure that all full-time or part-time employees working on or in connection with a covered contract (including fully remote workers) or working at a covered contractor workplace are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by December 8, 2021, unless the employee is legally entitled to an accommodation. No honor system; employers must review vaccination documentation. No exceptions for individuals with prior COVID-19 infections; antibody tests will not suffice. These rules do not apply to non-government contracts.
2. Covered contractors must ensure that all individuals (except for fully remote workers), including covered contractor employees and visitors, comply with published CDC guidance for masking and physical distancing at a covered contractor workplace.
3. Covered contractors must designate a person or persons to coordinate the implementation of and compliance with these workplace safety protocols at covered contractor workplaces. Their responsibilities to coordinate COVID-19 workplace safety protocols may comprise some or all of their regular duties.

Sorry, folks. If you’re a private employer with 100+ employees looking for additional guidance on the White House’s proposed vaccine mandate, I got nothing for you yet — well, other than this video. Although, you may glean what OSHA may do based on the new federal contractor guidance.