Amazon Reinstates Masks Mandate for All US Warehouse Staff

The masks are again on at Amazon.

Lower than eight weeks after the e-commerce big dropped its masks mandate for employees throughout its tons of of US warehouses, the corporate reinstated it as of Wednesday, based on inner communication shared with media retailers.

The change comes amid a spike in US coronavirus circumstances introduced on by the Omicron variant of the virus, which has turn into its dominant pressure.

Amazon“The well being and security of our staff is of the utmost significance to us,” Amazon advised its warehouse employees earlier this week. “We hope this can solely be required for the winter months and that additional into 2022 we are able to return to our earlier face-covering coverage, the place permitted.”

Till Wednesday, Amazon solely required solely unvaccinated warehouse workers to put on masks, or these working in areas the place native mandates required indoor masks carrying.

“You might select to put on your personal two-layered, reusable and/or disposable fabric face protecting, so long as it complies with website security necessities (e.g. no lengthy scarves, bandanas, or gaiters)” Amazon’s e-mail to warehouse employees learn, based on engadget “For those who do not need one, face coverings will probably be obtainable so that you can put on upon getting into the constructing.” The corporate wrote that it hopes the requirement will solely final the winter.

Amazon beforehand lifted its masks mandate for frontline staff this previous Might 24, however reinstated it on Aug. 9 amid an increase in COVID-19 circumstances from the Delta variant.

Amazon hasn’t mandated vaccination for its employees throughout the pandemic, however has inspired them through bonuses and different incentives.