After global vaccination drives, Apple had removed mask requirements for store employees in June. However, the rapid spread of the more dangerous and highly transmissible COVID-19 variant ‘Delta’ has lead to the Cupertino tech giant reinstating the requirement for both customers and employees at most Apple Stores in the United States.
Mask requirement reinstated at most Apple Stores in the U.S.
As reported by Bloomberg, Apple sent a memo to its retail employees announcing the reinstated mask requirement on Wednesday. As per the memo, masks will once again be a requirement in most Apple Stores in the United States, effective immediately. Both customers and retail employees will have to adhere to the requirement – even if they have been vaccinated.
“After carefully reviewing the latest CDC recommendations, and analyzing the health and safety data for your local area, we are updating our guidance on face masks for your store. Starting July 29, face masks will be required in store for customers and team members – even if they’re vaccinated.” The company added it is making the change “out of an abundance of caution.”
The Cupertino tech giant is also urging its retail staff to get vaccinated but it is not a requirement at this time. In the memo, Apple further advises employees to consult their doctors and decide what is best for them.
It also urged retail staff to get vaccinated, but is not requiring it at this time. “Apple encourages everyone who is eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, to take it,” the company wrote to retail employees. “Please talk to your doctor and decide what’s right for you.”
The ‘Delta’ variant of COVID-19 has disrupted most of the progress made by Apple these past several months in an effort to get back to normal. The tech giant reinstated a mask requirement for employees at some retail locations last month and has pushed its return to office date from September to October.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said that the company has not decided if it will make vaccination a requirement yet. The comment was brought forth after Google announced that all 130,000 employees returning to its offices must be vaccinated.
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