Federal workers who lie about vaccine status could be fined, fired

Federal employees who lie on a form attesting to their coronavirus vaccine status could be fined, fired from their duties or even prosecuted, according to a copy of the form released Friday.

President BidenJoe BidenCruz tears up his GOP colleagues who are “complicit” in Biden’s spending program. announced last week that his administration would require federal employees and on-site contractors to certify that they are vaccinated or, if they are not vaccinated or refuse to do so, that they submit to regular testing . Visitors to agencies must also complete the form published on Friday.

The form asks respondents to check a box indicating that they are fully vaccinated, not yet fully vaccinated, have not been vaccinated, or refuse to respond.

“I understand that a willful and willful misrepresentation on this form may be punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both (18 USC 1001),” the form reads. “Checking ‘I refuse to answer’ does not constitute a false declaration. I understand that making a false declaration on this form could lead to additional administrative measures, including adverse personal action up to and including dismissal from my position.”

The form was first reported by The Associated Press.

Visitors or on-site contractors not enrolled in an agency’s testing program are required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test within the previous three days, the form says.

“If you do not submit this signed attestation or any required negative COVID-19 test, you could be refused entry to a federal facility,” the document said.

In addition to being tested, those who are not vaccinated or do not complete the form will also have their movement restricted and will have to wear face masks regardless of the level of COVID-19 transmission in their workplace area. . Currently, all federal employees in Washington, DC and other high transmission areas are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of their immunization status, according to new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Agencies are expected to cover the costs of COVID-19 testing for employees with existing funds. The White House has not provided an estimate of how many federal employees or contractors it says are not currently vaccinated against the virus.

Biden announced the new policy last week, after the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it would require vaccines for its medical staff.

A number of companies in the private sector, hospital systems, universities, and state and local governments have also taken steps to make vaccines mandatory.