The Walt Disney Company said Friday it is requiring all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of September.
Employees who are still working from home will be required to provide verification of vaccination prior to returning to any Disney sites, including theme parks and offices.
Disney said it has begun conversations with the unions that represent its other employees, particularly those that work at its theme parks.
“Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees,” the company said in a statement.
The notice comes shortly after Disney said it would begin requiring theme parks guests to wear masks while in indoor locations at its domestic theme parks regardless of vaccine status.
This policy was put in place after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course and recommended that fully vaccinated people begin wearing masks indoors again in places with high Covid transmission rates. These hot spots include states like California and Florida where Disney’s U.S. parks are located.
Other companies that have instituted new vaccination policies include Google, Facebook and Walmart.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.