Apple is dropping the requirement for most of its corporate employees to wear masks, but there are still limitations. And the company has begun allowing some of its retail employees to take off their face mask at Apple Stores.
The policy change takes place as the surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant is essentially over.
Apple corporate employees can take off the face mask
Many Apple corporate employees are no longer required to wear a face mask. As Bloomberg reported, “The company told staff that masks for vaccinated corporate employees are now optional at offices in regions where local indoor-mask mandates have been eliminated.”
So people working at Apple HQ corporate offices can take off the mask… as long as they have been vaccinated. And as long as they’re not in an city or other area where masks are still required.
There is still no word on when the company will require corporate workers to return to the office. In December, management canceled a plan to have employees be back in their offices part time starting February 1.
Some Apple retail employees can too
The situation isn’t as clear cut for Apple retail employees, though there’s reason for optimism. According to Bloomberg, “It also told retail staff at a small number of locations that masks for employees will become optional on Friday. Over time — as more regions drop their mandates and cases decline — masks will become optional for employees at more locations.”
Shoppers are many Apple Stores can already take off the masks. In February, Apple stopped requiring face masks for visitors to most of its retail locations. And it has re-started in-person “Today at Apple” educational sessions.
