Aug 11, 2021 - Health

Amtrak will require COVID vaccines or weekly testing for employees

Oriana González

Picture of an Amtrak train in a station — Photo: Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Amtrak told its employees Wednesday that they must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or agree to submit to weekly testing, Axios has confirmed.

State of play: Starting on Oct. 4, new hires will need to show proof of vaccination before their first day of employment. Employees will not be required to return to in-person work until Nov. 1.

The company said it has restored pay protections for fully vaccinated employees who need to quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus. Unvaccinated employees who test positive will need to quarantine, but will not be offered pay protections.

What they're saying: "We did not come to these decisions lightly, and we understand it may take some time to process, which is why we are providing you with time to prepare," Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn told employees.

Flynn noted that "many employees" are doubtful about getting vaccinated, saying, "We understand these concerns and encourage everyone to consult with a medical professional and seek out facts from reputable sources."

Go deeper: More corporations are requiring workers to get vaccinated

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

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Amtrak will require COVID vaccines or weekly testing for employees

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