Apple drops mask requirements for most of its corporate workers

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

An internal email from the COVID-19 response team states that Apple is no longer requiring corporate employees to wear masks.

If you feel more comfortable wearing a face mask, you should. Please respect every person's choice to wear a mask or not.

There has been a surge in the highly transmissible version of COVID-19. The mask mandate was brought back by the transit system.

Apple started requiring some employees to return to the office in April, but stopped short of implementing its full hybrid model, which would require three days of in-person work for all employees every week.

You can read Apple's internal email here.

Team,

We are writing to share an update to our current protocols. In light of current circumstances, wearing a face mask will no longer be required in most locations. As always, please check Welcome Forward regularly for specific requirements for your site, including those from local health authorities, or any site you may visit.

We recognize that everyone’s personal circumstances are different. Don’t hesitate to continue wearing a face mask if you feel more comfortable doing so. Also, please respect every individual’s decision to wear a mask or not.

Thank you for all that you do to support Apple’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

The COVID-19 Response Team