Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) personnel said the agency has released an updated version of its Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers Guidance, which focuses on safety and nationwide operations.
Version 4.0 of the document reflects the changing landscape of the COVID-19 response while identifying essential workers requiring specialized risk management strategies to ensure work safely.
The update can also be used to begin planning and preparing for the allocation of resources used to protect essential workers against COVID-19.
“As the nation continues to recover and reopen in a phased approach, we continue to rely on essential workers to keep our communities functioning, and we need to make their health and safety a top priority,” CISA Director Christopher Krebs said.“This update is intended to help government officials and organizations make informed decisions regarding essential workers who may require special risk mitigation considerations in the workplace.”
Workers conducting a range of operations and services typically essential to continued critical infrastructure viability, including staffing operations centers, maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure, operating call centers, working construction, and performing operational functions are identified by the guidance.
Additionally, the list presently includes workers who teach and support students either in-person or through virtual learning.