COVID-19 and Public Health Preparedness and Response

Apr 17, 2024

Summary

Changes the government's pandemic response by ending old COVID-19 rules and giving duties to the new Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy.

What problem does this solve?

The government's structure for handling COVID-19 was based on old orders and roles that are no longer needed. This order removes those old rules and combines pandemic response duties under the new Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy.

What does this order do?

Transfers COVID-19 response duties

Moves all responsibilities from the COVID-19 Response Coordinator to the Director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR).

Eliminates COVID-19 coordinator positions

Terminates the positions of the COVID-19 Response Coordinator and the Deputy Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response.

Revokes previous COVID-19 executive orders

Cancels Executive Orders related to preventing hoarding of medical supplies, requiring masks for federal workers, and promoting COVID-19 safety in travel.

Who does this affect?

Federal government agencies
Federal employees

What is the real world impact?

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Streamlines pandemic response

Consolidates the federal government's pandemic preparedness efforts by transferring responsibilities from the former COVID-19 Response Coordinator to the new Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR).

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Signals a shift away from emergency response

Revokes orders on mask-wearing, travel safety, and hoarding, marking a formal end to the emergency phase of the COVID-19 response and moving towards long-term management of public health threats.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately as of April 12, 2024.