Coronavirus Update: Second NASA Facility On Work-From-Home Order After Another Employee Tests Positive

Another NASA employee has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the agency to place precautions and restrictions on a second facility. Other NASA facilities even without confirmed cases are also on high alert.

Second NASA Facility Shut Down

It was only last March 8 when NASA's Ames Research Center in California was elevated to Stage 3 of NASA's Response Framework and mandatory telework (work-from-home) status was enforced after an employee at the facility tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement released by NASA on March 15, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine announced that another NASA employee tested positive for the virus, this time at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. As a result, the facility has also been elevated to Stage 3 and is already on mandatory telework status. Access to the center is also restricted until further notice.

Other Facilities At Stage 2

Apart from the two facilities already at Stage 3, the agency is also moving all the other NASA facilities to Stage 2 even if there are no other confirmed cases from NASA employees as of March 14.

At Stage 2, working from home is "strongly encouraged" for the employees who can do so and only mission-essential visitors will be allowed. Fitness centers will also be closed and large, in-person gatherings and meetings are postponed or canceled.

"I've directed employees to take home their laptop computer, power cord, NASA badge, and any other equipment needed to work effectively from an alternate location, as well as essential personal items they may need," Bridenstine explained. "The workforce is asked to stay in regular contact with supervisors. Travel that is not mission-essential, as defined in the response framework, will be limited agencywide."

Protecting NASA Family

Bridenstine noted that protecting NASA employees remains to be the agency's top priority, reminding employees performing mission-essential work not to go to work if they feel sick and, for everyone to take extra precautions to protect themselves and others.

"As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we'll continue to closely monitor and coordinate with federal, state, and community officials to take any further appropriate steps to help safeguard the NASA family," Bridenstine said. "We will get through this together and NASA will continue to accomplish amazing things for our country and all of humanity."