travel (i.e., travel conducted under an official travel authorization) for individuals who have
COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for an initial diagnostic viral test result. Also pursuant to
E.O. 13991 and consistent with CDC guidance, agencies must not approve official travel, for
individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, for at least 5 full days after their first day of
symptoms, or after the date of the initial positive diagnostic viral test for asymptomatic individuals.
If an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 has returned to working onsite at an agency
workplace or interacting with members of the public as part of their official responsibilities (once
they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their other
symptoms are improving), then USDA may approve official travel for the individual. In this
circumstance, the individual must, in addition to other standard pre-travel instructions related to
COVID-19:
•
Wear a high-quality mask or respirator the entire time they are on-duty and around
others indoors for the full duration of their travel that falls within the period they are
otherwise required to wear a high-quality mask or respirator after ending isolation;
•
Not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if they will not be
able to wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others indoors for the full
duration of their travel that falls within the period they are otherwise required to wear a
high- quality mask or respirator after ending isolation
; and
•
Follow other aspects of post-isolation protocols (see Isolation and Post-Isolation
Precautions section below).
If after official travel has been approved, the individual’s COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen,
then the individual must not undertake further official travel, including under any previously
approved travel authorization, and must again not enter a USDA facility or interact with members
of the public as part of their official USDA responsibilities, restarting at day 0 of isolation protocols
(see Isolation and Post-Isolation Precautions section below).
If an employee has probable or confirmed COVID-19 during official travel, they must
follow isolation
protocols and not undertake further official travel, including return travel, for at
least 5 full days after their first day of symptoms, or after the date of the initial positive diagnostic
viral test for asymptomatic individuals. After that point, once the individual is fever-free for 24
hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their other symptoms are improving, they
can proceed with undertaking further travel, including return travel. In this circumstance, the
individual must, in addition to other standard pre-travel instructions related to COVID-19:
•
Wear a high-quality mask or respirator the entire time they are on-duty and around
others indoors for the full duration of their travel that falls within the period they are
otherwise required to wear a high-quality mask or respirator after ending isolation;
•
Not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if they will not be
able to wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others indoors for the full
duration of their travel that falls within the period they are otherwise required to wear a
high-quality mask or respirator after ending isolation
; and
•
Follow other aspects of post-isolation protocols (see Isolation and Post-Isolation
Precautions section below).
If at any point prior to their return travel the individual’s COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen,
the individual must not undertake further official travel, including return travel, and must not