White House Imposes December 8 Deadline for Federal Contractor And Subcontractor Vaccines

The White House approved new guidance on September 24 that would require federal contractors and subcontractors to have their workforce fully vaccinated by Dec. 8. As written, the guidance requires those contracting with the federal government to ensure their workers have received the Covid-19 vaccination except “in limited circumstances” where an employee needs a religious or disability accommodation. 

Businesses must also ensure workers and staff are following masking and physical distancing rules, among other safety precautions. Federal contractors must designate a coordinator to implement the guidance and the workplace safety rules it outlines and to review vaccine documentation from employees working on federal contracts to verify vaccination status.  

President Biden announced the new vaccine requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors on Sept. 9, along with a mandate that private sector businesses with 100+ employees also require COVID-19 vaccination. A Department of Labor proposed emergency rulemaking on the private sector vaccine mandate is expected in mid-October.