Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

The Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidance Version 4.1 provides guidance on how jurisdictions and critical infrastructure owners can use the list to assist in prioritizing the ability of essential workers to work safely while supporting ongoing infrastructure operations across the Nation.   

CISA issued the guidance originally on March 19, 2020 and published four additional updates to reflect the changing landscape of the Nation’s COVID-19 response. Earlier versions were primarily intended to help officials and organizations identify essential work functions in order to allow them access to their workplaces during times of community restrictions. As circumstances have changed over the course of the pandemic, so has the application of this guidance.

In August 2020, Version 4.0 was released which identified those essential workers that require specialized risk management strategies to ensure that they can work safely as well as how to begin planning and preparing for the allocation of scare resources used to protect essential workers against COVID-19. The latest version (4.1) remains largely unchanged from the 4.0. With newer and more contagious variants of the virus emerging, CISA wants to newly encourage the use of this Guidance to further reduce the frequency and severity of the virus’ impact on essential workers and the infrastructures they operate.

If you have feedback or additional questions, please reach out to: Central@cisa.gov.