GM and Other 3 Major US Automakers Urge 'Wear Masks Again'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] On the 3rd (local time), major U.S. automakers and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union reinstated the mandatory mask-wearing policy for factory employees in the United States.

General Motors (GM), Ford, Stellantis, and UAW announced in a joint statement that all employees must wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. However, vaccination was recommended but not mandated.

UAW explained, "We encourage those who can get vaccinated to do so, but we acknowledge that some may decline vaccination for religious or health reasons."

This measure follows the recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which strengthened recommendations for indoor mask-wearing even among vaccinated individuals in areas with high infection rates due to the spread of the Delta variant.

Previously, starting from the 12th of last month, U.S. automakers and UAW allowed vaccinated workers to work without masks on the job site.

With the new CDC guidelines, not only the federal, state, and local governments but also private companies are independently reinforcing mask regulations.

Facebook instructed all employees in the U.S. to wear masks regardless of vaccination status on the same day, and Apple reinstated mandatory mask-wearing in most of its U.S. stores. Large retailers that interact with customers are also strengthening mask policies one after another.