The Pandemic Begins To Ease, Google Allows Unvaccinated Employees To Enter The Office

Google lifts the ban on employees who have not been vaccinated from entering the office. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA – Google no longer requires its US-based workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the office. The statement was reported by CNBC, Friday, February 25.

"We do not enforce vaccination requirements as a condition of employment for office workers in the US at this time", Google spokeswoman, Lora Lee Erickson, said in a statement to The Verge.

“We continue to implement our vaccination policy of requiring COVID-19 vaccination or approved accommodation for every individual who accesses our site because it is one of the most important ways we can keep our workforce safe and keep our services running”, added Erickson.

However, the policy requiring vaccinated staff to return to the office still applies. "Google's original vaccination policy announced last July remains in effect, requiring COVID-19 vaccination or approved accommodation for anyone accessing our site", according to Erickson.

In addition, only employees at Google Santa Clara County facilities must wear masks in the office.

CNBC also shared details from a memo sent to staff by David Radcliffe, Google's VP of real estate and workplace services. Google has lifted a policy requiring anyone entering Google facilities, even vaccinated staff, to be tested for COVID-19.

But according to the report, unvaccinated employees who are approved to enter the office will still need to follow additional protocols, including testing and wearing masks.

Google has also relaxed policies on some of its amenities. Google is also reportedly reopening facilities such as gyms and massages; restoring full shuttle service; adding more places to eat free breakfast and lunch, and unlocking “all informal spaces” such as lounges, games rooms, music rooms, and massage chairs.

The company said in December that it would wait until 2022 to determine plans for a return to the office. When employees are expected to return in person, Google has committed to giving them 30 days. The company has also outlined plans for a hybrid workweek in which most employees are expected to be in the office three days per week.

Apple has also begun easing its COVID-19 policies, as it has removed the mask requirement for customers shopping at Apple retail stores in some states. Apple could rescind a mandate for retail employees to wear masks as well "within two weeks", according to a tweet from Mark Gurman, of Bloomberg.