Federal Communications Commission	


Released:  June 8, 2022

FCC ANNOUNCES UPDATED POLICY ON VISITORS 
REQUIRING SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS TO ITS FACILITIES

On March 12, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC restricted visitor access to its facilities to only those visitors with a clear operational necessity.  In light of the improved pandemic conditions, updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that focuses on COVID-19 Community Levels and the associated Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (the Task Force) guidance, beginning on June 9 the Commission will permit visitors with scheduled appointments, in conjunction with safety protocols identified by the Task Force, to enter its facilities.  At the FCC’s new headquarters at 45 L Street NE as well as all other FCC facilities, all visitors will be required to have a scheduled appointment with an FCC contact.  That FCC contact shall be responsible for escorting the visitor throughout their time in the FCC facility.  Visitors without appointments will not be permitted to access the Commission.
Effective immediately, and subject to the COVID-19 safety protocols identified here, visitors entering FCC facilities must:
• Use the CDC Facility Access Tool to self-assess their health for possible symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of the visit and relevant symptoms within the past 48 hours; and

• When visiting FCC facilities located in a county where the COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM or HIGH complete a Certification of Vaccination form attesting that they are fully vaccinated – or – present a negative COVID-19 test result Where a negative test result is required, the FCC will accept test results from any test authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to detect current infection and produce a dated result.  Note also that at-home tests (without telehealth verification) are not acceptable because they do not produce a dated result.  

 from an approved test taken in the three days prior to entry.

All visitors should use the CDC Facility Access Tool to determine whether they should reschedule the visit and remain out of the FCC facility in accordance with CDC guidelines.  The FCC is utilizing the CDC Facility Access Tool for visitor use only and results will not be reviewed or collected by FCC personnel.  However, visitors should only proceed with their visit if they receive an “Approved” (or “Approved with Conditions”) result using the CDC Facility Access Tool.
The Certification of Vaccination form or negative test result (if required) will be reviewed – but not collected – by designated FCC personnel at the point of entry.  
The FCC has created a new "Visiting FCC Facilities" page on FCC.gov.  Please refer to https://www.fcc.gov/visit for more information on how to prepare for your visit to the Commission.

All visitors must comply with FCC guidance and signage when they are in an FCC facility, including wearing a mask in those FCC facilities located in counties where the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH.  If there are local masking requirements that are more stringent, such as requiring masks regardless of COVID-19 Community Level, visitors to FCC facilities must comply with those local requirements.  Visitors should coordinate with their FCC contact well ahead of their scheduled visit.  As part of the ordinary security protocols at FCC facilities, all visitors will be required to go through security screening and be escorted at all times by FCC personnel.  Finally, we encourage all visitors to arrive early for scheduled appointments to allow ample time for security screening and, if applicable, any necessary COVID-19 safety protocols.  

Please direct all questions regarding this Public Notice to Mark Stephens at (443) 425-2245 or Mark.Stephens@fcc.gov.  
-FCC- 


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