Starbucks Corp has suspended COVID-19 vaccine-or-test requirement for US employees that had been mandated by the government, according to a memo sent to workers, following an adverse US Supreme Court ruling.
Previous Requirements
The coffee giant had said earlier this month that it would require its approximately 220,000 US employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.
Struck Down
The US Supreme Court last week struck down Joe Biden administration's vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses, ruling that the policy overstepped executive authority.
"Respect The Court's Ruling"
"We respect the court's ruling and will comply," Starbucks Chief Operating Officer John Culver wrote in a memo to workers.
Similar Decision From General Electric Co
The move follows a similar decision from industrial conglomerate General Electric Co.
Staff Vaccination Status
More than 90% of the company's workers have already disclosed their vaccination status, with a vast majority fully vaccinated, according to the memo.
Starbucks Strongly Encourages Vaccinations, Boosters And Vaccination Status Disclosure
Culver also said in the memo that Starbucks strongly encourages vaccinations and boosters as well as disclosure of vaccination status.
US Lead World In Daily Average Of New Deaths Reported
United States currently leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every four deaths reported worldwide each day.
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