As Microsoft is getting ready to fully re-open its offices around the world, the company has just announced that it will start requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for everyone visiting its offices starting next month. This includes Microsoft employees, vendors, or other guests, though employees who couldn’t get the vaccine for medical reasons or religious beliefs will get a special accommodation.
The company has also delayed the full re-opening of its US offices, which was previously planned for September, to “no earlier than October 4, 2021.” The company also told The Verge that it will allow its employees who are caregivers to immunosuppressed people or who have children too young to get the vaccine to work from home until January.
You can read Microsoft’s full statement below:
As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we continue to closely track new developments and adapt our plans as this situation evolves, keeping employee health and safety top of mind. Based on our continued consultation with health and data experts, our earliest date for the full opening of our U.S. worksites will be no earlier than October 4, 2021. Starting in September, we’ll also require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors, and any guests entering Microsoft buildings in the U.S., and will have an accommodation process in place for employees. We continue to review the situation on a local basis in each region/country/state where we work and will adjust dates and policies as needed.
As the new Delta variant of COVID-19 is currently spreading across the globe, Microsoft isn’t the only company to adopt stricter rules regarding on-site work. Google, Facebook, and other companies have also recently announced that they would require vaccinations for US employees coming back to the Office this Fall.
