The resurgence in Covid-19 cases has been spurred by the highly infectious Delta coronavirus variant, prompting many organizations to come out with mask mandates and improve their vaccination policies.
- Amid the rise in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases over the world, two main airlines have made it compulsory for their employees to get vaccinated.
United Airlines said to employees
Canada-based WestJet and United Airlines in the US have said employees who fail to get themselves vaccinated will face termination of their job.
WestJet has required all employees
WestJet has required all employees to get their vaccination status attested by September 24, or get fully vaccinated by October 30.
The Onex Corp-owned airline said a complete vaccination status would be compulsory for all future employees approved by the airline.
“As part of its vaccine mandate, the airline will not provide testing as an alternative to vaccination,” the organization said in a statement.
Last date of employees to get vaccinated
United, on the other hand, has set September 27 as the deadline for its employees to get vaccinated. However, those whose bids for exceptions based on medical reasons or religious beliefs are denied will get five more weeks to get vaccinated, the airline said.
After that, it added, they will face termination or unpaid leave.
United said requests for medical exemptions will be judged by medical staffers including nurses, while demands for waivers based on religious beliefs will be handled by personnel-office employees.
- Employees who routinely come in contact with travelers, such as flight attendants, gate agents, and pilots, and whose exemptions are approved will face indefinite unpaid leave starting October 2.
They won’t be allowed back on the work until the pandemic “meaningfully recedes,” according to one of the memos circulated by the Chicago-based company.
What other airlines are doing?
United has taken the strongest pro-vaccination stance among US airlines. Delta Air Lines says it will levy a $200 monthly surcharge on unvaccinated employees who are covered by the company’s health plan.
Others, including American Airlines, say they will cut off paid leave for unvaccinated workers who contract Covid-19.
Concern over Delta variant
According to US government data, new diseases are at their highest level since March and are likely to rise into the fall as more people are hospitalized.
The resurgence in Covid-19 cases has been spurred by the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant, prompting many companies to come out with mask mandates and improve their vaccination policies.
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