By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Biden administration stated Tuesday that all federal agencies must conduct weekly COVID-19 testing for government workers who interact with the public or work on-site.

The September vaccine mandate by President Joe Biden covers approximately 3.5 million federal employees. They must be fully vaccinated before Nov. 22, or risk being disciplined or terminated.

According to the administration, Tuesday’s announcement stated that employees not covered by vaccines, including religious exemptions or medical exceptions, “should be tested for every week they are on-site” or have contact with public members as part their work duties. Sometimes, testing may be required by agencies.

Remote federal employees are not subject to the same rules.

The U.S. government reported that it had achieved 97.2% compliance as of December 8, with 92.5% having received at minimum one COVID-19 vaccination.

OMB, the White House Office and Management and Budget (OMB), encouraged federal agencies last month not to issue additional discipline than counseling and education or a letter de reprimand to employees who hadn’t complied with regulations by January. OMB didn’t immediately respond to questions about how many U.S. workers were disciplined because they failed to follow the rules.

Biden’s mandate for vaccines does not apply to federal workers working in the legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. Postal Service

USPS is required to submit a test report or apply for vaccines for 100-plus employees. However, USPS requested that the process be delayed.

According to the Administration, Tuesday’s announcement stated that federal agencies can impose disciplinary sanctions on employees who refuse testing. Employees may be barred from work at agency offices while any discipline action is resolved.