“The Department of Agriculture has confirmed an employee at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. has tested positive for coronavirus. The Department of Homeland Security said at least eight agents at the Transportation Security Agency also tested positive. Meanwhile, employees at agencies across government are on the front lines of fighting the pandemic.”
“Margaret Weichert, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, delayed her departure from government to help coordinate that response – especially as it pertains to the federal workforce…”
“Here are some additional details from Weichert:
- OMB has instituted a daily call with the leading organizations across government – ‘The Executive PMC’ (President’s Management Council). That group receive a situational update then coordinates a response around topics like federal workforce, procurement policies, information technology, buildings, and supply chain activities.
- OMB has been working to provide broad guidance and increasing latitude to agency, bureau, and department heads so they can make decisions on issues like telework.
- The Department of Labor has reduced face-to-face interactions among its workforce by 90-percent.
- The Office of Personnel Management responded quickly to a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs – and managed questions regarding retired annuitants – to help bring retired health care workers back into the fight against coronavirus.
- The Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are working together to increase call center capacity in order to support small businesses who have questions about loans.
- The Office of Federal Procurement Policy just issued some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) in order to bring the contracting community into the communications flow…” Watch the video here.
Source: Exclusive with Margaret Weichert about coronavirus and federal employee impact – March 20, 2020. Government Matters.
