Amazon advised US warehouse workers on Friday that they will require them to wear masks in order to combat the spread of the contagious COVID-19 Delta variant. (via CNBC/Bloomberg). Amazon claims it provides vaccine access to more than half a million employees. However, employees will be required to wear masks regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated.Amazon confirmed that the mandate for masks was being carried out in an email to The Verge.We require indoor face covers regardless of vaccination status due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 variants. We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to work with the leading medical healthcare professionals to gather their recommendations and advice as we move forward to make sure our buildings are safe for our employees.Amazon's policy changes are not applicable to non-warehouse employees. Amazon recently changed its return-to office plans on August 5, pushing its return date back to January 2022. Amazon, like other companies, had considered adopting a hybrid schedule. This would allow office workers to return to their offices at least for part of the week beginning on September 7th.If the company plans to keep its staff working in person, it seems sensible to take extra precautions with warehouse workers. Amazon reported that 19816 of its 1,372,000 frontline workers across Whole Foods, Amazon and Amazon had COVID-19 in October 2020. This is or were presumed to have been positive between March 1st and September 19th 2020.
