I can answer that: even states like mine with re opening require workplaces to limit staff, stagger staff schedules, and telework when possible. Passport processing centers require a lot of employees and staff to be around each other working. They ARE in the office working (some staff are) they are only dealing with passports and issues that are life or death, family funerals, and were updating passports to get Americans abroad home.
ALSO-------the state department employees do not do most of the acceptance process. County/city courts, public libraries, and post offices serve as the bulk of the passport acceptance agents. You have to do passports in person, in a private room/area, passing papers back and forth with an acceptance agent. Most agencies have people in lines or in waiting areas for a passport. Right now that is really hard with covid. I am a passport acceptance agent, we are getting ready to gear up here soon, we are installing plexiglass and going to have to limit how many come in for passports right now.
Trust me, we agents want this to get going.