Google CEO Sundar Pichai
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Google is implementing a new Covid-19 testing policy for U.S. work facilities as it prepares for a continued increase in infections from the Omicron variant in the coming weeks.
In an email sent to full-time employees on Thursday and obtained by CNBC, Google chief medical officer Karen DeSalvo said anyone in contact with a Google office or facility will request a stool test. negative death. They should also report their immunization status and wear surgical-grade masks while in the office, the memo said.
“The Omicron variant has become the dominant strain in the United States and is highly transmissible,” DeSalvo writes. “There has been a dramatic increase in infections across the country and hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID patients – reducing their ability to provide care to those in need.”
Finally, Google has been more aggressive than its tech companies in enforcing Covid-19 safety measures for workers. Last month, the company told employees that they to obey with vaccine policies or face lost wages and ultimately jobs. That marks the change of executives, who just a few months ago said The company will not mandate the use of vaccines.
Several hundred Google employees Signed and circulated a manifesto protesting the expansion of the company’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
When it comes to testing, Google is prepared for a moment like this. In April, Google started provided Covid-19 home check from Cue Health for employee. It was the test company’s largest private-sector customer.
Four months later, Google’s cloud division signed a separate agreement with Cue to develop real-time variant tracking and sequencing of Covid-19, a partnership that provides Google Unique access to test and variation data.
“We expect this to continue over the next few weeks,” DeSalvo wrote, adding that the new testing rule is only temporary. “During this period of increased risk, we are taking issue with the policy to do weekly molecular testing (eg, PCR, Cue) if you come into the office.”
DeSalvo reminded employees that Google offers free in-home and in-person viral testing options for both full-time employees and the expanded workforce, including temporary employees, suppliers, and employees. contractors. A recent report by Bloomberg says Google’s extended workforce has longer wait times for test results than those employed full-time.
In an email to CNBC, a Google spokesperson said the company is “implementing new temporary health and safety measures for anyone visiting our websites in the United States,” adding that put in place policies to make “workplaces and communities as safe as possible”.
DeSalvo says the molecular tests will help ease the pressure on clinics, schools and pharmacies, which have struggled to keep a rapid supply of antigen tests in stock.
Google has more than 150,000 full-time employees and roughly the same number of contractors and suppliers. As of mid-December, executives said the company had so far opened 90% of offices in the US, and that in recent weeks, nearly 40% of employees in the US had visited a facility at some point. .
Google was expecting its workforce to return to physical offices starting in January, but it push back its plans last month, citing concerns about infection rates. However, executives did not name Omicron at the time and still encouraged employees to continue to “where conditions permit”.
The Supreme Court goes in the opposite direction
While Google is ramping up its mandates, federal rules seem to be going in the opposite direction. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Biden administration from enforcing comprehensive testing or vaccine requirements on large private companies. The agency requires workers at businesses with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated or submit a negative Covid test weekly to be allowed to work by January 18.
Google executives have used the federal requirements as an explanation for enforcing its internal policies, arguing that the company’s extensive work with the government means everyone Everyone must comply regardless of whether they come to the office or not.
Google tell the staff In December, those who do not comply with the vaccination rules by January 18 will be subject to “paid administrative leave” for 30 days. They will then be subject to “unpaid personal leave” for up to six months, followed by contract termination.
DeSalvo’s note added more specific safety guidelines for the proliferation of Omicrons.
She advises staff to use fabric-free or “high-quality surgical masks.” She also says they should stay home if they feel unwell, even if “it’s just an allergy”. DeSalvo recommends that employees check in as close to the event or office as possible.
“You may not show any symptoms, but you can still spread Covid-19 to others,” she wrote, adding that vaccinated staff should get a booster shot “as much as possible.” as soon as possible” if they haven’t had the shot.
