FCC Delayed Move After Positive COVID-19 Test, 'Insufficient' Social Distancing

The FCC delayed until September 2020 plans to move to new headquarters near Union Station after concerns arose about employees possibly being infected during the packing process. That's according to our interviews with staff, a spokesperson and Friday's internal memo that said workers can telework until at least June 2021. The spokesperson confirmed that the memo was sent. That followed our news bulletin earlier Friday. It's now in front of the pay wall here.

The agency last month instituted a staggered process to allow employees to move their personal possessions from the building, as we previously reported. Last week, it suspended that “because there was insufficient compliance with mandatory safety precautions and social distancing requirements” the spokesperson emailed us. A staff member who had been in the building in the past two weeks also tested positive for COVID-19, the spokesperson said. “We are confident that this staff member did not become infected as a result of being in the building.”

Chief of Staff Matthew Berry's memo said the new moving plan would “appropriately addresses lessons learned from what happened during the first two weeks of July.”