SEATTLE – Amazon confirmed Wednesday that fully vaccinated workers inside U.S. warehouses are free to work without masks beginning Monday, where applicable by law.
The new policy will not apply at locations where state or local regulations still mandate face coverings, and employees must possess a copy of their vaccine card to confirm their fully vaccinated status, the online retailer told employees in a notice that was obtained by CNBC.
According to the notice, Amazon considers employees to be fully vaccinated once at least 14 days have passed since receiving their final vaccine dose.
“A HUGE thank you to everyone who has and continues to prioritize our COVID-19 safety measures,” the company stated in its notice to employees. “The last 14 months have not always been easy, but your dedication continues to be appreciated by leaders and customers across the country. We cannot wait to see your smile.”
Amazon also confirmed that workers will be required to enter their vaccine information into an internal portal that will designate fully vaccinated employees with a green check mark visible on an internal screen that they will be asked to display at the start of each shift, CNBC reported.
>> Related: Target drops mask policy for vaccinated customers, employees
All other COVID-19 safety protocols will remain the same, the company confirmed.
Amazon joins a growing list of retailers and restaurants that have eased mask requirements since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised earlier this month that fully vaccinated people can forego wearing masks indoors.
Aldi, Chipotle, Costco, Kroger, Lidl, Starbucks, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Wegman’s are among the nationwide companies that have updated their mask requirements.
>> Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s lift mask restrictions for vaccinated customers
Meanwhile, Home Depot, Gap and Ulta Beauty are among those that said they intend to maintain current safety precautions until further notice, CNBC reported.
About 37% of the population, or 123 million people, have been fully vaccinated in the U.S., according to the CDC.
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