Disney and Walmart mandate vaccines for employees

Disney and Walmart_ two of United States' largest employers_ announced that they are requiring employees be vaccinated.

Disney (DIS) is requiring all its salaried and non-union hourly employees in the US to be vaccinated. Workers who are working on-site but are not yet vaccinated must do so within the next 60 days_ according to a statement from the company to CNN Business. All new hires must be fully vaccinated before beginning their jobs.

Employees who aren't already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days to do so; employees still working from home must provide proof of vaccination prior to their return to work. The company also said it has started discussing vaccine mandates with the unions representing its workers.

Walmart (WMT)_ the nation's largest retailer_ said all its US-based corporate employees must be vaccinated by October 4_ according to a Friday memo from Doug McMillon_ the company's president and CEO.

The company has been gradually having workers come back to the office_ and plans to be "closer to pre-pandemic levels after Labor Day." It will continue monitoring pandemic conditions before determining if that timeline needs to be altered_ McMillon said in the memo.
Customers will not be required to wear masks_ but they will be strongly encouraged_ and facilities will post signs to remind them of the CDC's new guidelines.

In an earlier Friday memo_ Walmart announced that all employees are required to wear masks inside again_ regardless of vaccination status_ in places with "substantial or high transmission." The new policy is effective immediately_ the nation's largest retailer said Friday.

Store managers will receive local updates every Monday to determine their facility's necessary protocol. Customers will not be required to wear masks_ but they will be strongly encouraged_ and facilities will post signs to remind them of the CDC's new guidelines.

While Walmart is not mandating that its store employees get vaccinated_ it will soon implement a new process to verify their vaccine status_ and is strongly encouraging workers to get vaccinated. As part of its push for vaccination_ the company is offering employees the chance to get vaccinated while on the clock and up to three days paid leave for any reaction to the shot.

Additionally_ Walmart is doubling its current vaccine incentive to $150. Originally_ the company was offering employees $75 to get vaccinated. Current employees who get vaccinated and new employees who were vaccinated before they started at Walmart are all eligible to receive the bonus.

The decision to reinstate a mask mandate comes following updated guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Tuesday_ recommending that fully vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors in areas with high transmission rates of Covid-19. That currently includes nearly two-thirds of all US counties.