The USPS OIG issued a November 20, 2020 audit report evaluating steps the USPS had taken through July 2020 to keep its employees safe through the COVID-19 outbreak. In February of 2020 the USPS reported the first positive COVID-19 test of a Postal employee. As of July 31, 2020, 33,945 employees took leave to quarantine, 7,421 tested positive for the virus and 80 had died from the virus.
USPS management identified three areas of focus: 1) Slowing the spread of the virus, 2) managing and supporting affected employees, and 3) ensuring that recovered employees return to work safely.
Policies designed to slow the spread included requiring all employees to wear face coverings when social distancing was not possible, requiring retail customers to wear face coverings, and establishing daily cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. In addition, the USPS developed a COVID-19 Supplies Command Center to ensure availability of face coverings, gloves, and cleaning products to all employees.
The USPS also tried a temperature-taking proof of concept test at four facilities in May of 2020. This policy was never taken nationwide due to the resource intensive nature of the program. Also, there are privacy concerns, and the program requires additional employee time as well as coordination with the law department and unions. The USPS also said that temperature taking alone would not be enough to identify employees with COVID-19.
A liberal leave policy was created for employees who were affected by the virus. For employees who were exposed to the virus at work, the USPS created a Close Contact Tracing Program. This Program created protocols for employees who tested positive, or who came into contact with someone who tested positive.
Return to work dates were set by the USPS nursing staff for employees who were exposed to or ill from COVID-19.
The OIG’s office recommended clarification and communication of the face mask policy including the enforcement policy for face masks, and corrective action for non-compliance. Additionally the OIG suggested creating program goals and performance metrics for the Close Contact Tracing Program, and implementing a nationwide health screening initiative.