From: Kathy Sheppard <mcldof.adjutant@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 2, 2022 at 12:24 PM
Subject: Fwd: FW: New CDC Regarding Masking
To:
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS 22-40 Please pass on to your detachments Kathy SheppardDepartment of Florida Adjutant 9741 SW 63rd Loop Ocala, FL 34481 813-318-2305
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From: Kathy Sheppard <mcldof.adjutant@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 2, 2022 at 12:24 PM
Subject: Fwd: FW: New CDC Regarding Masking
To:
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS 22-40
Please pass on to your detachments
Kathy SheppardDepartment of Florida Adjutant
9741 SW 63rd Loop
Ocala, FL 34481
813-318-2305From: Bob Borka <bborka@mcleague.org>
Date: Wed, Mar 2, 2022 at 11:18 AM
Subject: FW: New CDC Regarding Masking
To:
_______________________________________________________________
This email is being forwarded to ensure all MCL Members receive information that we receive at National Headquarters relevant to the Marine Corps and Marine Corps League. The National Board of Trustees believes it is important that we pass information affecting the military, Veterans, and their families. The messages being passed are not an indication of support or partisanship. They are intended to inform. S/F Bob Borka National Executive Director/COO Marine Corps League
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From: Kelley, Raymond C. Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2022 8:42 AM Subject: New CDC Regarding Masking
All -
Please find attached VA’s new guidance regarding mask wearing based on CDC guidance.
Regards,
Ray
Raymond C. Kelley
VSO Liaison
Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY SECRETARY
Updated Guidance on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Community Levels, Mask-Wearing and Screening Testing
On February 25, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released recommendations related to COVID-19 community levels. In accordance with Executive Order 13991, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will follow CDC’s updated recommendations and subsequent implementation guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force) as part of a layered prevention strategy focused on limiting severe disease and reducing the potential strain on the health care system.
All VA organizations must begin implementing updated mask-wearing and screening testing protocols at their non-healthcare facilities no later than March 4, 2022. The new guidance does not apply to VA healthcare facilities. We will continue to follow relevant regulations and guidance from the CDC, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Occupational Safety and Health Administration for health care settings.
VA organizations must determine the appropriate mask-wearing and screening testing protocols for a given facility by utilizing the CDC county-level data showing the COVID-19 community level for the county in which the facility is located. Where a locality imposes more protective pandemic-related safety requirements, VA facilities must follow those requirements within that locality. VA mask-wearing and screening testing protocols based on COVID-19 community levels are summarized below.
VA Mask-Wearing and Screening Testing Protocols based on COVID-19
When the COVID-19
Community Levels
Mask-Wearing: VA organizations should not (absent locality requirements) require individuals to wear masks in that VA non-healthcare facility, regardless of vaccination status.
Screening Testing: VA organizations should not (absent locality requirements) utilize their screening testing program in that VA non-healthcare facility.
community level is LOW in the county where a VA non- healthcare facility is located
When the COVID-19
Mask-Wearing: VA organizations should not (absent locality requirements) require individuals to wear masks in that VA non-healthcare facility, regardless of vaccination status.
Screening Testing: VA organizations must utilize their screening testing program in that VA non-healthcare facility, consistent with agency testing guidance.
community level is MEDIUM in the county where a VA non-healthcare facility is located
When the COVID-19 community level is HIGH in the county where a VA non- healthcare facility is located
Mask-Wearing: VA organizations must require individuals to wear masks in that VA non-healthcare facility, regardless of vaccination status and consistent with CDC and Task Force guidance.
Screening Testing: VA organizations must utilize their screening testing program in that VA non-healthcare facility, consistent with agency testing guidance.