Virginia Gov. Youngkin plans to bring state workers back into office 2 years after COVID shutdown

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday announced plans to bring state employees back into the office by July following more than two years of teleworking due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"After listening to the needs of Virginians, discussing solutions with agency heads across government, and closely monitoring the pandemic, we are excited to welcome our employees in-person this summer," Youngkin said in a press release.

He stressed the importance of in-person interaction and said his new administration is "updating Virginia’s telework policy for the first time in more than a decade."

The governor did not include a copy of the new policy with the press release, but his office said it will be "[c]onsistent with pre-pandemic policies and updated Department of Labor and Industry guidelines."

State employees are able to "telework where appropriate," and those currently teleworking are required to apply to work out of the office under the new agreement by May 20.

Employees without a telework agreement will return to the office by July 5, according to the governor's plan.

Youngkin has pushed for a return to pre-pandemic normalcy since his inauguration. He issued an executive order shortly after assuming office to end Virginia's public school mask requirement.