Apple is announcing major changes with its COVID-19 protocols. As of Thursday, March 3, some staff and retail members will be exempt from wearing face masks. Other regions might also drop their mask requirements depending on local regulations.
Since the number of COVID-19 cases seem to be finally declining, Apple has announced new protocols for corporate and retail personnel. It should be emphasized that sometime last week, Apple already lifted their mask requirement for customers in the US area.
Apple Mask Mandate Changes: Who are Exempt?
According to 9To5Mac, Apple announced that face masks will be optional in "regions where local indoor-mask mandates have been eliminated." This implies that if the local state rules are relaxed, selected Apple employees can take off their face masks.
Apple specified that their vaccinated corporate staff members can start applying these changes by Thursday, March 3. Unfortunately for retail employees, the new policies will start on Friday, March 4.
Apple probably applied changes to the corporate staff earler because they are confident in regulating the population of staff inside their administrative building. In comparison, retail employees are more vulnerable and are constantly being exposed to random people in public.
At the time of writing, all these changes only apply to Apple U.S. offices and not to their international branches. However, Apple specified that "Over time - as more regions drop their mandates and cases decline - masks will become optional for employees at more locations."
It is worth pointing out that Apple did not mandate their employees to not wear masks. They can still do so as additional protection against the ongoing pandemic.
Apple COVID-19 Protocols
Aside from the company's health protocols, Apple is also expanding its services. Sometime this week, Apple announced that it will be resuming its Today at Apple in-person sessions. This is a creative initiative program that educates and inspires customers which their passions through the help of certain gadgets.
Since the start of the pandemic, Apple shifted its Today at Apple program to virtual events. So now, for the first time in two years, it will be resuming its in-person services to interested fans who visit retail shops. Note that these changes only apply to U.S. branches.
Despite the many changes announced, Apple has yet to announce when corporate employees can return to their physical offices. But with all the changes happening, this development might take place anytime.
Sources speculate that if Apple does require its employees to finally work again in physical offices, the company will impose a hybrid system for office hours. This means that employees will work three times a day in their office and then two days at home.
More changes and announcements might still come out from the company. So for now, Apple fans and employees are recommended to watch out for updates.
Related Article: iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max Design Leak Shows Apple Pill-Shaped Display Replaces the Notch
