Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Efforts and Resources to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic

In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness (PDF, 24 MB). The plan calls on all parts of the federal government to contribute resources, facilities, personnel, and expertise to contain the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responding to the President’s call to action. In addition to personnel, USDA is offering its facilities, cold chain infrastructure, public health experts, disaster response specialists, scientists and researchers, and footprint in rural areas and Tribal communities across the country. With a presence in nearly every county in the United States and more than 140 countries around the world, USDA is working alongside federal partners to contain the outbreak and message about the importance of vaccinations for pandemic recovery.

Mask Guidance

Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of USDA employees, contractors, customers and visitors to USDA facilities and federal lands. That’s why, in compliance with guidance provided by CDC, USDA requires all on-duty or on-site USDA employees, on-site USDA contractors, and all persons in USDA buildings or on USDA lands to wear face masks, maintain physical distance, and take other public health measures as appropriate. You may view more information in our COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan.

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