Are COVID Assignments Exempt from Social Security Tax?

We have received a number of messages asking if those working temporarily in COVID disaster areas are exempt from Social Security taxes and Medicare taxes (please see image below).

It's also found here: Tax Withholding for Government Workers

This does not apply to COVID related assignments for two reasons.

1) The page on the IRS website applies to GOVERNMENT workers - working with a staffing agency is not a government employer and 2) these exemption applies to NATURAL disasters, not biomedical disasters.

Congress would have to pass a bill allowing this and right now, they cannot agree which is why you see more executive orders from the President.