On Monday, August 4 through Wednesday, August 6, 2014, President Obama will welcome leaders from across the African continent to Washington, DC, for the 2014 United States-Africa Leaders Summit (Summit). This Summit is slated to be the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government.

Significant traffic disruptions are expected on August 5 and 6 as a result of road closures and restrictions associated with the Summit. The Federal Government will remain open as usual during this period. Because of traffic congestion and potential road closures, employees could experience significant disruptions in their normal commuting patterns. During the Summit, employees should allow extra time for travel to and from work whether by private vehicle or public transportation.

To help alleviate traffic congestion, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) strongly recommends that agencies consider the use of telework to keep the Government operating normally while helping to minimize traffic congestion during the Summit. Additionally, agencies should consider encouraging employees who can be spared from their duties to request to adjust their work schedules. Employees may be given the option to use their alternative work schedule days off, take annual leave, or use previously earned compensatory time off and/or earned credit hours under a flexible work schedule (if permitted under agency policies). We encourage agencies to approve requests for telework, leave and other paid time off on these days.

For more information, review the Impact of 2014 United States-Africa Leaders Summit on Washington, DC, Commuters Memorandum.