Biden wants U.S. federral agencies to mandate COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated employees by Feb 15

Biden wants U.S. agencies to mandate COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated employees by Feb 15 The Biden administration said on Tuesday that federal agencies should require weekly COVID-19 testing by Feb. 15 for unvaccinated government employees who are working on-site or interacting with the public. David Shepardson Reuters

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - ...

The administration said on Tuesday that unvaccinated employees - including those seeking religious or medical exemptions - "should be tested weekly for any week during which they work on-site or interact in person with members of the public as part of their job duties. Agencies may require more frequent testing."

The rules do not apply to federal workers who are working remotely.

As of Dec. 8, the U.S. government said it has achieved 97.2% compliance, with 92.5% of employees having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The White House Office and Management and Budget (OMB) last month encouraged federal agencies not to issue discipline beyond education and counseling or a letter of reprimand for most employees who had not complied until January. OMB did not immediately comment on how many U.S. employees have been disciplined for failing to comply with the rules. ...