BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

Breaking

Edit Story

Apple To Increase Covid Testing For Workers Amid Surge

Following
This article is more than 2 years old.
Updated Aug 17, 2021, 03:14pm EDT

Topline

Apple is increasing coronavirus testing for corporate and retail staff, the company said in a memo obtained by Bloomberg, and it will halt plans to bring back in-person classes at U.S. stores as coronavirus cases continue to surge due to the highly infectious delta variant.

Key Facts

Apple told retail employees participating in the company’s at-home testing program that they will start receiving Covid-19 testing kits twice a week and will need to get tested on Mondays and Thursdays and report the results back to the company, according to Bloomberg.

Apple is also planning to increase testing up to three times a week for corporate employees at certain offices when they return in October, Bloomberg reports.

Apple will not require employees to show proof they have gotten vaccinated against coronavirus when returning to the office, breaking away from other technology companies like Microsoft, Facebook and Google, which all will require employees to show proof they have gotten the Covid-19 vaccine before entering their offices this fall.

The company is also reversing its decision to bring back in-person classes called “Today at Apple” to stores in the U.S. by Aug. 30, according to Bloomberg, but in-person classes are planned to move ahead in Europe. 

Forbes has reached out to Apple for comment.

Crucial Quote

“With the emergence of more contagious variants like delta, we believe that more frequent testing will better protect you and everyone at Apple,” the company said to staff in the memo.

Key Background

Apple told employees in July that the company would be delaying workers’ return to office from September to October due to the nationwide surge of coronavirus cases, which hit a peak on July 30, with almost 200,000 new coronavirus cases reported in the U.S. Apple is currently expected to start bringing back employees to corporate offices in October and make a full return to the office in February, according to Bloomberg. Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC in July they are “monitoring things daily” to decide whether to push back the return to office. The company also reinstated its mask policy in late July for workers at retail stores in high risk areas, regardless of vaccination status. 

Big Number

80,000. That’s the number of Apple employees across all 50 states, according to the company’s website. 44 states have at least one Apple retail store.

Further Reading

WarnerMedia Is The Latest Major Company Requiring Workers To Get Vaccinated Amid Covid Surge - See The Full List (Forbes)

Mask Mandates Return: Target Joins Walmart And These Other Businesses In Requiring Employees To Mask Up (Forbes)

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedInSend me a secure tip