Jul 28, 2021 - Health

White House says federal agencies must require masks in hotspots

Oriana González

Picture of a man putting up a sign that says "masks required" — Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The White House Office of Management and Budget told federal agencies they must require masks to be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status, according to an email reviewed by Axios.

State of play: OMB deputy director Jason Miller wrote that consistent with new mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "in areas of substantial or high community transmission," employees, contractors and visitors must wear a mask inside federal buildings.

"Federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors who are not fully vaccinated also need to continue to physically distance," Miller said.

Reuters first reported the email.

Catch up quick: The CDC said on Tuesday that those who are fully vaccinated should wear masks indoors in certain areas of the U.S. that have substantial or high virus transmission.

The White House reimposed its indoor mask requirement for staff on Tuesday.

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White House says federal agencies must require masks in hotspots

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