The Verge‘s Zoe Schiffer says in a now-deleted tweet that starting next month, Apple will require unvaccinated employees to get frequent COVID-19 tests, while vaccinated employees will be required to take tests on a more infrequent basis.
So far, Apple has not followed the lead of other tech companies like Facebook and Google in mandating vaccines for its employees, holding off on making any such mandate. Prior to the upcoming testing mandate, testing was encouraged, but not required.
Earlier this month, Apple began requesting its employees in the United States to voluntarily provide their vaccination status. Employees were asked to voluntarily share their vaccination status by mid-September. The request included both employees working in the office and those working from home.
Apple offers vouchers to get employees vaccinated through Walgreens along with on-site vaccinations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Austin. The Cupertino firm also offers paid time off for vaccine appointments, as well as paid sick leave for employees who experience side effects after being vaccinated.