Google Drops Vaccine Mandate for Employees, Eases Other COVID Rules for Office Workers
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital EditorGoogle will no longer require U.S. staffers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus as a condition of employment, and it scaled back some COVID-safety restrictions as it expects more workers to return to the internet giant’s office in the coming weeks.Google is dropping the requirement that vaxxed U.S.
employees get weekly COVID tests before they come into the office, and it also will no longer require them to wear masks in the office (subject to local government guidelines).
However, unvaccinated staffers must still be masked and get tested if they are returning to Google facilities.In addition, Google plans to reinstate many office perks — which it had suspended during the pandemic — including reopening cafeterias, fitness centers and game rooms, as well as resuming commuter shuttles and on-site massage services, according to a memo to San Francisco Bay Area employees last week.
CNBC first reported Google’s updated COVID office policies Wednesday. Previously, Google had told employees that they would need to be vaccinated (or receive an exemption) by Jan.
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