EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503

March 17, 2020
M-20-16
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

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FROM:

Russell T. Vought
Acting Director

SUBJECT:

Federal Agency Operational Alignment to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus
COVID-19

The Federal Government is aggressively responding to the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19). The Federal Government, in partnership with sta�e and local governments and the
private sector, is adopting a concerted near-term operations posture that will appropriately align
critical resources to slow down the transmission of COVID-19, while also ensuring that
Government operations continue.
The Government must thoughtfully manage all our resources in a way that aligns with our
desired outcome of slowing the transmission of COVID-19. This aggressive posture may affect
Government operations as agencies work to balance the needs of mission-critical work and greater
social distancing. Consequently, while the Federal Government remains operational, agencies must
take appropriate steps to prioritize all resources to slow the transmission of COVID-19, while
ensuring our mission-critical activities continue.
In order to achieve this posture, consistent with The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for
America, the Government must immediately adjust operations and services to minimize face-to-face
interactions, especially at those offices or sites where people may be gathering in close proximity or
where highly vulnerable populations obtain services. Exceptions may be needed when continued
operations and services are necessary to protect public health and safety, including law enforcement
and criminal-justice functions. Non-mission-critical functions that cannot be performed remotely or
that require in-person interactions may be postponed or significantly curtailed. Agency heads have
flexibility to realign individuals or work units to higher priority activities.
Agency heads shall utilize the full extent of their legal authority and discretion to execute
this realignment of non-mission-critical activities, while also ensuring that their agencies continue
to serve the American people and operate in the most efficient manner possible to deal aggressively
and promptly with the current situation. Agencies shall communicate with their customers to
encourage them to delay transactions which are not time-critical and to ensure that available
resources can be re-prioritized to mission-critical activities. Agencies shall communicate to the
public how service levels may be impacted, and should leverage mechanisms for receiving and
acting on feedback.

 This Memorandum is consistent with the President's declaration of a national emergency
pursuant to section 50l(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,
42 U.S.C. § 5191(b), concerning the COVID-19 outbreak.
Specifically, agency plans and operations shall accomplish the following:
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Reduce and re-prioritize non-mission-critical services to free up capacity for critical
services;
Identify and resolve supply challenges that may be limiting factors or bottlenecks;
Identify a variety of transportation limitations that could impact service delivery;
Whenever possible and appropriate, leverage existing materials and content relating to
authoritative information on COVID-19, share status of Federal actions on
https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus, and provide communications in line with the National
Response Framework;
Maximize telework across the nation for the Federal workforce (including mandatory
telework, if necessary), while maintaining mission-critical workforce needs;
Assess professional services and labor contracts to extend telework flexibilities to contract
workers wherever feasible;
Consider streamlining regulations and approval processes for critical services, including
issuing general waivers policies and delegating decision-making where appropriate; and
Ensure agency policies and procedures restrict individuals infected with, or at higher risk for
serious illness from, COVID-19 from accessing Federal facilities, in accordance with
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, as well as the Privacy Act of
1974, and other legal requirements. These agency policies must specifically include
considerations not only for Federal employees, but also for contractors and visitors while
balancing the needs to perform mission critical functions. Agencies shall review CDC, as
well as U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) guidance below, as well as other appropriate
resources, when developing and implementing new or modified policies and processes.
• CDC Interim Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of
Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC Risk Assessment and Public Health Management Decision Making
• CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• DOL Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Next Steps
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Within 48 hours of the issuance of this Memorandum, all agencies must review, modify, and
begin implementing risk-based policies and procedures based on CDC guidance and legal
advice, as necessary to safeguard the health and safety of Federal workplaces to restrict the
transmission of COVID-19.

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As previously directed by the Office of Management and Budget (0MB), agency heads shall
review and modify operations that maximize resources and functional areas to deliver
mission-critical functions and other Government services safely and efficiently,
incorporating the above factors. Agencies shall work closely with their leads for COOP to
fully leverage agencies' authorities to execute their missions during the pandemic.
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