The DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released version 3.0 of the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers guidance to help state and local jurisdictions and the private sector identify and manage their essential workforce while responding to COVID-19. CISA’s original guidance was released on March 19, 2020, and version 2.0 was subsequently released on March 28, 2020.

Version 3.0 of the guidance clarifies and expands critical infrastructure workers in several categories and provides additional information as considerations for both government and business. One significant change in 3.0 is that in all worker categories, references to “employees” or “contractors” were changed to “workers.”

While this guidance is advisory and non-binding, it will be an essential reference tool for policymakers across the U.S., as they weigh options in their jurisdictions in response to the COVID-19 emergency.