The White House is loosening its policy that required staff to wear face coverings.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked if White House staff was still required to wear masks at work, she said, “Masks are recommended but not required.”
McEnany says face masks no longer required for WH staff on the job. "Masks are recommended but not required," is the latest policy, she said.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 17, 2020
On May 11, the White House implemented a new policy that required White House staff to wear masks, as IJR reported.
A memo sent to White House staff read, “The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] continues to encourage the use of facial coverings when social distancing is not an option.”
“Staff who sit in the West Wing are not required to wear a facial covering while at their desk if they are appropriately socially distanced from their colleagues,” it added.
Additionally, the memo urged staff to avoid visits to the West Wing “unless you absolutely need to conduct in-person business in the West Wing.”
That policy came after two White House staffers tested positive for the coronavirus and was in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wear face coverings when social distancing is not possible.
The new policy comes after a recent study that wearing masks could help prevent a second wave of the coronavirus.
White House officials have noted that the president and vice president are regularly tested for the coronavirus and have thus far tested negative.