The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday notified approximately 180 employees who were laid off two weeks ago that they can return to work, according to The Associated Press.

Wednesday. “You should return to duty under your previous work schedule. We apologize for any disruption that this may have caused,” it said. About 180 people received reinstatement emails, according to two federal health officials who were briefed on the tally but were not authorized to discuss it and spoke on condition of anonymity.

In an unanticipated move, the CDC has issued an email to 180 of its recently laid-off employees, instructing them to resume their former roles and work schedules. The email, marked with the urgent subject line "read this email immediately,