Amazon told employees on Friday that under the latest U.S. health guidelines, they only need to quarantine for a week after testing positive for COVID-19, not 10 days.
The Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus has led to a surge in U.S. cases and shortages of workers in schools, airlines and businesses. On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backed recent guidelines that people with the virus can end their quarantine after five days.
In a message Amazon shared with Reuters to employees, the online retailer said its new one-week quarantine policy took effect immediately. Workers who contract the virus can receive up to 40 hours of paid leave, which corresponds to a shortened quarantine period.
“Do not come to work if you are sick,” the message said. “Additional leave options are available for individuals who remain symptomatic beyond one week.”
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the news.
With hundreds of thousands of warehouse and logistics staff, Amazon is the second-largest US private employer. Walmart, the largest, this week told workers it was halving its [COVID-19] paid leave in line with the updated CDC guidance.
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