Bulletins

Amazon lifts mask policy for vaccinated warehouse workers

Amazon does not have a vaccine mandate in place for its workforce but expects to offer weekly testing.

An Amazon warehouse worker

Amazon warehouse workers will no longer have to wear masks on the job if they are vaccinated.

Photo: Amazon

Starting Tuesday, Amazon's U.S.-based warehouse workers can take off their masks — if they're fully vaccinated, that is.

CNBC reported Monday that Amazon will lift its mask requirement for vaccinated warehouse workers unless a local or state law requires them to continue masking up.

"Vaccines are universally available across the U.S.," the company reportedly told workers in an email on Friday. "Vaccination rates continue to rise which enables the ability to return to our previous mask policy."

Amazon confirmed in a statement to Protocol that it would allow fully vaccinated U.S. field operations employees to work without masks unless otherwise required by federal, state or local regulations.

"We continue to evaluate all of our temporary COVID-19 safety measures, making adjustments in alignment with public health authority guidance and our own medical experts to prioritize the health and safety of employees," the statement reads.

The company hasn't announced a vaccination mandate for its employees. Heather MacDougall, Amazon's vice president of workplace health and safety, reportedly said she expects Amazon to be "in a good position" to offer a weekly testing alternative to a vaccine mandate.

Allison Levitsky
Allison Levitsky is a reporter at Protocol covering workplace issues in tech. She previously covered big tech companies and the tech workforce for the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Allison grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from UC Berkeley.
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