COVID-19 Federal Updates: March 30

Everything you and your business need to know about federal coronavirus response efforts for March 30, 2020.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for COVID-19. German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into self-quarantine this week after one of her doctors contracted coronavirus. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) became the first senator to test positive for the coronavirus, causing several senators to self-quarantine. He becomes the third member of Congress to be diagnosed, joining Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ben McAdams (D-UT).

The President extended social distancing guidelines until the end of April. The guidelines were set to expire Tuesday and urge individuals to cancel nonessential travel and limit in-person gatherings to 10 people or fewer.

Members of Congress mostly plan to be in their home states and districts this week. Federal policymakers are discussing the potential for a fourth coronavirus-related package.

On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – released updated guidance on the essential critical infrastructure workforce (see Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response). The guidance and accompanying list are intended to support State, Local, and industry partners in identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and the essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and need to be able to operate resiliently during the COVID-19 pandemic response.