Detroit’s Big Three automakers to let workers stop wearing masks
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Detroit’s Large Three automakers stated on Thursday they may enable autoworkers to cease carrying masks at workplaces the place U.S. well being officers have stated it’s secure to take action.
Common Motors Co Ford Motor Co, Chrysler-parent Stellantis NV and the United Auto Employees union stated in a joint assertion they might undertake the brand new Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) steering permitting employees at U.S. amenities to not put on masks no matter COVID-19 vaccination standing, if these amenities should not in high-risk counties.
The CDC stated Thursday that 93% of People dwell in counties that aren’t high-risk.
Almost all of Michigan, the place the Large Three automakers have lots of their vegetation are in areas the place the CDC has deemed it secure to take off masks, together with within the counties house to the headquarters of GM, Ford and Stellantis North America.
Different states house to many vegetation like Ohio and Illinois are additionally largely deemed secure to drop masks, in keeping with the CDC.
The Large Three, in contrast to another main producers, by no means mandated vaccines for hundreds of unionized U.S. employees.
Final fall, Ford and Stellantis each required its U.S. salaried non-union employees to be vaccinated to hunt exemptions.
GM, Ford and Stellantis all mandated vaccines for all autoworkers in Canada.
In August 2021, the U.S. automakers reinstated necessities to put on masks in any respect U.S. vegetation, places of work and warehouses after a surge in COVID circumstances.
The CDC and different international public well being businesses have suggested carrying masks to forestall the unfold of COVID however some have raised questions on their efficacy. Masks mandates have been opposed by varied authorities officers and individuals who see the mandates as a authorities overreach.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Modifying by Sandra Maler and Christian Schmollinger)
