The White House says agencies must start testing unvaccinated employees and contractors who work onsite at agencies for Covid-19. Workers must take tests at least once a week.
- James Eisenmann, partner at Alden Law Group and former executive director of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, said the new requirements are important but might be logistically very difficult for agencies, especially smaller ones with fewer resources.
- Eisenmann said agencies can bar employees who refuse to take the test from the workplace while considering disciplinary measures, adding that it is unlikely the employee would lose his or her job.
- Eisenmann advised agencies to communicate with staff about what they are doing to implement the testing protocol and what will and will not happen.
