by PEG Contributors Leslie Kamil, Lisa Kamil, and Mieko Preston

Executive Orders – Covid 19 

13987: Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government To Provide a Unified and Effective Response To Combat COVID-19 and To Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security signed January 20, 2021        

“The Federal Government must act swiftly and aggressively to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To that end, this order creates the position of Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response and Counselor to the President and takes other steps to organize the White House and activities of the Federal Government to combat COVID-19 and prepare for future biological and pandemic threats.” Read more.

13991: Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing signed January 20, 2021

This executive order protects the Federal workforce from the spread of Covid 19. All federal workers, contractors, and all interacting with workers must wear a mask and follow CDC-related guidelines. Read more.

13994: Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future High-Consequence Public Health Threats signed January 21, 2021

On January 21, 2021, the President signed EO 13994 to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through effective approaches guided by the best available science and data, including by building back a better public health infrastructure. Read more.

13995: Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery signed January 21, 2021                                                                                                                       

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated severe and pervasive health and social inequities in America. For instance, people of color experience systemic and structural racism in many facets of our society and are more likely to become sick and die from COVID-19. The lack of complete data, disaggregated by race and ethnicity, on COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates, as well as underlying health and social vulnerabilities, has further hampered efforts to ensure an equitable pandemic response.” Read more.

13996: Establishing the COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board and Ensuring a Sustainable Public Health Workforce for COVID-19 and Other Biological Threats signed January 21, 2021                                                                                                  

“It is the policy of my Administration to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by using a Government-wide, unified approach that includes: establishing a national COVID-19 testing and public health workforce strategy; working to expand the supply of tests; working to bring test manufacturing to the United States, where possible; working to enhance laboratory testing capacity; working to expand the public health workforce; supporting screening testing for schools and priority populations, and ensuring a clarity of messaging about the use of tests and insurance coverage.” Read more.

13997: Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19 signed January 21, 2021

On January 21, 2021, the President signed EO 13997 to improve the capacity of the Nation’s healthcare systems to address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to accelerate the development of novel therapies to treat COVID-19, and to improve all Americans’ access to quality and affordable healthcare. Read more.

13998: Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel signed January 21, 2021                                                                                      

 “Science-based public health measures are critical to preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by travelers within the United States and those who enter the country from abroad. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Surgeon General, and the National Institutes of Health have concluded that mask-wearing, physical distancing, appropriate ventilation, and timely testing can mitigate the risk of travelers spreading COVID-19.” Read more.

13999: Protecting Worker Health and Safety signed January 21, 2021

On January 21, 2021, the President signed EO 13999 requiring the Federal Government to take swift action to reduce the risk that workers may contract COVID-19 in the workplace. Read more.

14000: Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers signed January 21, 2021

On January 21, 2021, the President signed EO 14000 to ensure that students receive a high-quality education during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to support the safe reopening and continued operation of schools, child care providers, Head Start programs, and institutions of higher education. Read more.

14001: A Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain signed January 21, 2021

On January 21, 2021, the President signed EO 14001, directing the production of supplies necessary to combat the COVID-19 virus so that the schools and the economy can open as soon and as safely as possible. Read more.

14002: Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic signed January 22, 2021                                                                                                                             

“The pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an economic crisis marked by the closure of small businesses, job loss, food and housing insecurity, and increased challenges for working families balancing jobs and caregiving responsibilities. The current economic crisis has affected Americans throughout the Nation, but it is particularly dire in communities of color. The problems are exacerbated because State and local governments are being forced to consider steep cuts to critical programs to address revenue shortfalls the pandemic has caused. In addition, many individuals, families, and small businesses have had difficulties navigating relief programs with varying eligibility requirements, and some are not receiving the intended assistance. “ Read more.

Proclamations

Covid 19

Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease 2019 signed January 25, 2021

Due to the spread of Covid 19 and the development of new and more contagious variants, this proclamation reinstated the travel restrictions for the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, and S. Africa. Read more.

Memoranda

Covid 19

Memorandum To Extend Federal Support to Governors’ Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States signed January 21, 2021                                

“Consistent with the nationwide emergency declaration concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on March 13, 2020, it is the policy of my Administration to combat and respond to COVID-19 with the full capacity and capability of the Federal Government to protect and support our families, schools, and businesses, and to assist State, local, tribal, and territorial governments to do the same, to the extent authorized by law.” Read more.

Maximizing Assistance From the Federal Emergency Management Agency To Respond to COVID-19 signed February 2, 2021                                             

“Consistent with the nationwide emergency declaration concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on March 13, 2020, it is the policy of my Administration to combat and respond to COVID-19 with the full capacity and capability of the Federal Government to protect and support our families, schools, and businesses, and to assist State, local, tribal, and territorial governments to do the same, including through emergency and disaster assistance available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).” Read more.