Meta delays US office reopening, mandates booster shots for returning workers

[NEW YORK] Facebook parent Meta Platforms has delayed its US office reopening date and mandated Covid-19 booster shots for employees returning to office, joining the growing list of companies revamping reopening plans as Omicron surges.

For employees who opt to work from office, the reopening date has been delayed to Mar 28 from the earlier plan of Jan 31, the tech giant said on Monday (Jan 10).

All workers returning to office will have to present proof of their booster jabs, while the company closely monitors the Omicron variant situation, it said. Meta currently requires all its US employees coming to office to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Corporate America has doubled down on vaccination mandates and delayed back-to-office plans as the Omicron variant drives up infections to record levels across the country.

Last week, Citigroup said its US staff who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 by Jan 14 will be placed on unpaid leave and fired at the end of the month.

In December, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp had offered an option to defer returning to office. The company said on Monday it will let employees decide by Mar 14 if they want to return to office or defer again.

REUTERS