House of Representatives staff may soon be working remotely amid growing concerns over the coronavirus.
According to a memo obtained by Fox News, the House Administration Committee is preparing to allow telework due to the global coronavirus outbreak. The notice was sent to all House offices on Friday, saying the possible remote work is “in light of the unique and unusual circumstances presented by the coronavirus.”
“This will provide the opportunity for staff to receive technical assistance they may need to be prepared to work remotely,” the memo reads, adding, “Training will also be provided on how to remotely connect and access your office data and resources.”
The memo continues, “All of these measures will help House offices improve their emergency preparedness in general and we urge offices to take advantage of the types of assistance highlighted below.”
According to the memo, unused funds may be used to buy equipment to allow telework, and on Monday, the House will create a center to help make ready the infrastructure of remote work.
The sign of moving toward remote work comes shortly after over 18,000 people attended the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference this week. Among those who attended include Vice President Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), among others.
AIPAC confirmed on Friday evening that two people from New York who attended the conference tested positive for the coronavirus.
Important Update: Coronavirus
— AIPAC (@AIPAC) March 6, 2020
As emailed to Policy Conference attendees, participants, speakers, administration and Hill offices.https://t.co/0mkWeuRErA pic.twitter.com/EHl694pkgJ
The preparation for telework for House staff comes as several companies in the U.S. are asking employees to work from home amid the coronavirus, including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Twitter, among others.
To protect yourself from #COVID19, avoid being exposed to the virus and use everyday prevention action to prevent the spread of respiratory virus:
— CDC (@CDCgov) March 5, 2020
1) cover your cough
2) wash your hands
3) stay home when sickhttps://t.co/uArGZTrH5L pic.twitter.com/6KgyMnpoUW
“Beginning today, we are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they’re able,” Twitter wrote in a post on Monday, adding, “Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us – and the world around us.”
As of Friday, there were over 300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. and 17 deaths, according to The New York Times.