Federal Communications Commission	"FCC/DA  XX-XXX"


Released:  March 12, 2020

FCC ANNOUNCES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS ON VISITORS TO ITS FACILITIES 

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the United States increases and the World Health Organization has classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, the FCC, effective immediately, will no longer allow visitors into our facilities, absent special permission from the Office of Managing Director.  No visitor will be granted such permission unless there is a clear operational necessity.  This measure will remain in effect for the foreseeable future and is being taken to help protect the health and safety of our employees and mitigate or slow the transmission of COVID-19 within the community.   

In addition, as a further step to practice greater social distancing and minimize congregating at the workplace and on mass transit, the FCC has advised employees that unless it is absolutely necessary for them to work from the office because they cannot otherwise accomplish their work, they should telework beginning tomorrow morning until further notice.  We take these steps while continuing to conduct the regular and ongoing work of the FCC and encourage parties with business before the Commission to work with Commission staff to schedule necessary meetings by teleconference.  These measures will help to provide for the orderly conduct of Government business, while protecting FCC staff and outside parties.  

The Chairman’s Office, in consultation with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, the Office of Managing Director, and Office of General Counsel, will continue to monitor developments and will implement additional precautions (or relax current precautions) should circumstances warrant.

For further information or to request special permission for access to FCC Facilities, please contact Mark Stephens of the Office of the Managing Director, at (202) 418-0817 or Mark.Stephens@fcc.gov.      

         -FCC-

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