Woolworths has ended its requirements that all staff, including those at Big W stores, be fully vaccinated to remain employed.
This move is part of a larger unwinding of the COVID-19 restrictions brought into play more than two years ago, and will see all Perspex dividers removed from check out areas, and the removal of the signage around the stores.
Staff being double-vaccinated is now “strongly encouraged” rather than “required”, leaving the door open to former staffers who were stood down over the policies.
These measures were outlined in a letter sent to suppliers.
“This means that there will no longer be a requirement to have the first two Covid-19 vaccinations to be employed with Woolworths Group or to attend our sites and stores as a contractor or supplier partners,” the letter said.
“However, up-to-date Covid vaccination remains strongly encouraged for all team members and our trade partners.”
“As it is practical to do so over the coming weeks/months, some COVIDSafe measures in our stores and sites will be removed, in line with our current Covid risk assessment.
“These measures are: customer perspex screens in self-serve checkout only; temperature checking equipment; signs/floor decals about physical distancing.”
Woolworths employs around 180,000 staff across its stores, distribution centres and support offices.
“We’d like to thank our team members for doing their bit to help protect the health of each other and our customers over the course of the pandemic,” Woolworths chief medical officer Dr. Rob McCartney said.
“Our team vaccination requirement was designed to respond to the health risks during an acute period of the pandemic, however we have recently reviewed whether it is still necessary in light of high community-wide vaccination and the evolution in how we now live with Covid.
“Based on the latest medical information and consultation with our team members, we have made the decision to update our position to ‘strongly encourage’ vaccination for our team members, rather than require it.”
