▲ Starbucks fired the first shot at a large U.S. restaurant group. (Photo/Reuters)
Starbucks, a world-renowned chain of cafes, officially announced on the 3rd that all its stores, offices and factories in the United States must complete vaccination before February 9, otherwise they must undergo screening at their own expense every week and provide negative certificates before they can go to work. This is also the first case of a large catering group in the United States, which is caused by the latest epidemic prevention regulations of the bureau.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Starbucks has sent letters to stores across the United States informing all employees that they must be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or they must undergo weekly screenings. According to the notice, Starbucks stressed that "employees who choose to be screened regularly instead of being vaccinated must be tested by pharmacists or physicians, and employees will not be screened at home, and all expenses will be borne by employees." ”
Starbucks announced that more than 28,000 locations around the world will phase out disposable plastic straws by 2020. (Photo: Reuters)
▲ Starbucks requires all employees to be vaccinated or screened weekly at their own expense. (Photo: Reuters)
Not only that, but Starbucks also requires employees to report vaccination status by Jan. 10. The new rule applies not only to store employees, but also to all employees in U.S. offices and factories.
John Culver, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer, told employees, "I understand that people have different ideas about vaccination, but Starbucks still encourages all employees to be vaccinated, especially now that the new Omicron variant is spreading, it is my responsibility and every leader's responsibility to do our best to protect your safety, and we will try to provide a safer working environment as much as possible." ”
The federal appeals court reinstated U.S. President Joe Biden's rule at the end of 2021 that companies with more than 100 people "must require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or screened weekly." However, due to the shortage of manpower in local restaurants due to the epidemic, business owners are worried that it will affect the willingness of employees to work, so they dare not act rashly, and did not expect Starbucks to directly shoot the first shot for a large AMERICAN restaurant group.