This month, federal agencies received a directive to remove all COVID-19 signage, as reported in a memo acquired by CBS News. A federal employee at a healthcare clinic first learned of the order when nursing staff began taking down references to the virus from the walls of their facility.
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"The memorandum also instructs all agencies to eliminate any COVID-related signage from federally owned buildings and leased spaces. The Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration officially ended on May 11, 2023," the document states, authored by Acting General Services Administrator Stephen Ehikian and dated April 8. A spokesperson for the General Services Administration (GSA) confirmed the memo, noting that the guidance was part of routine operations to inform tenant agencies. The memorandum also mandated that agencies display official portraits of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance without delay, while removing any portraits of the prior administration. "The GSA regularly provides information about the protocol for displaying official portraits of the President and Vice President in federally owned buildings and leased spaces during administration transitions," the spokesperson stated.
The agency previously addressed this guidance in a social media post, framing it as part of "a new directive" from the administration about showcasing the President's official portrait. They did not mention the requirement to remove COVID-related signage. "Visitors to public offices will soon notice the portraits on display!" the agency announced.
Edited by Bosman