Google is not requiring its US-based employees to be vaccinated towards COVID-19, according to CNBC. The change is one in all many the corporate is reportedly making to its insurance policies because it prepares to have workers return to its workplaces.

The firm initially introduced in June that it will be requiring vaccinations to return to the workplace, and reportedly despatched a memo in December telling workers they’d threat being compelled to take depart and even being fired if they didn’t show they have been vaccinated (or apply for an exemption). But a Google spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that vaccines have been not required for US workers, so it seems the corporate has adjusted its coverage.

Google didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

CNBC additionally shared particulars from a memo despatched to employees by David Radcliffe, Google’s VP of actual property and office providers. Google is lifting a coverage that required anybody getting into a Google facility, even vaccinated staffers, to have adverse COVID-19 molecular take a look at. “Unvaccinated employees who are approved to enter offices will still need to follow additional protocols, including testing and wearing a mask, Radcliffe’s note stated,” in keeping with CNBC.

Google can be stress-free insurance policies over a few of its famed facilities, CNBC studies:

Radcliffe additionally wrote that the corporate is reopening facilities like health facilities with out appointment and massages; restoring full shuttle service; including extra locations to eat free breakfast and lunch; and opening “all informal spaces” akin to lounges, recreation rooms, music rooms, and therapeutic massage chairs.

The firm stated in December that may wait till 2022 to find out its return-to-office plans. When workers are anticipated to return in-person, Google has already dedicated to giving them a 30-day heads up. The firm has additionally already outlined plans for a hybrid work week the place it can anticipate most workers to be within the workplace three days per week.

Apple has additionally begun to calm down its COVID-19 insurance policies, because it has dropped masks necessities for purchasers buying at its Apple retail shops in a number of states. Apple might drop the mandate for retail workers to put on masks as effectively “in as early as two weeks,” in keeping with a tweet from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.