Vaccination Possible Two Weeks After Following Revised CDC Quarantine Guidelines
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The American retail giant Walmart has decided to exempt employees and customers who have completed COVID-19 vaccinations from the mandatory mask-wearing policy inside stores.
On the 14th (local time), Walmart announced in a statement from Chairman and CEO John Furner that individuals who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations will no longer be required to wear masks inside stores starting from the 18th.
Accordingly, Walmart employees will be allowed to remove their masks two weeks after completing their COVID-19 vaccinations. For those vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna, both doses must be completed to qualify. This policy applies to all Walmart facilities, including Walmart stores, its subsidiary Sam's Club, distribution centers, order fulfillment centers, and offices.
Earlier, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its guidelines on the 13th, stating that people who have been vaccinated can virtually forgo masks in most indoor and outdoor settings. This guideline will take effect on the 18th.
However, employees who have not been vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings or masks. Walmart stated, "We are reviewing whether to continue requiring mask-wearing for certain job categories for health and hygiene purposes," adding, "Some employees may voluntarily choose to continue wearing masks."
Walmart also announced that it provides a $75 (approximately 80,000 KRW) incentive to employees who provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Not only employees but also Walmart customers who have completed their vaccinations will be allowed to remove masks inside stores. Since the spread of COVID-19, Walmart has required customers to wear masks inside stores starting from July last year.
Meanwhile, following the CDC's revised guidelines, the "no mask" movement is spreading across the United States, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a caution.
Michael Ryan, WHO Emergency Response Team Leader, emphasized during a virtual press briefing that "countries wishing to lift mask mandates should do so only within a context that considers both the intensity of transmission in the area and the level of vaccine coverage."
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