The new administration is planning extraordinary measures to protect its most valuable commodity, Joe Biden, including the requirement for daily testing of employees’ COVID and N95 masks at all times, according to the new guidance sent to some incoming employees on Tuesday .
Why does it matter: The president-elect is 78 years old and therefore is at high risk for the virus and its worst effects, despite having received the vaccine. Although President Trump’s team was not concerned with the COVID protocols – leading to several episodes of over-propagation – the new rules will apply to all White House advisers in “close proximity to the directors”.
- In addition to protecting Biden, he and his team want to model best practices and insist that West Wing employees follow the highest standards. Biden is asking the nation for a “mask” during the first 100 days of his administration.
The big picture: The guidance was sent to new employees who will be “in close proximity” to any “directors” of the White House, generally defined as heads of departments such as the National Security Council and the National Economic Council.
- The email also brings the perspective that some West Wing advisers will soon be eligible for a vaccine. “For those of you who have not yet received your first vaccine,” says the guidance, “we will do a follow-up in the coming days with information on how to do this”.
- The orientation will have its greatest impact in the West Wing, where employees are happy to accept tight spaces because they are close to the Oval Office. The email instructs employees to stay 6 feet away at all times. In reality, this means that lone employees will work in offices that usually have seats.
- Rapid 15-minute antigen tests will be conducted at the White House doctor’s office, and aides who need to be at the White House regularly will be asked to sign up for a testing schedule.
“The Biden White House will follow public health guidelines that ensure that we are keeping all employees safe during the pandemic,” a transitional officer told Axios.
The final result: The White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building will start with reduced capacity, as many Biden advisers work from home in the early days of the government.