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Netflix Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Employees, Visitors (EXCLUSIVE)

Netflix is expanding its vaccine mandate.

The streaming giant will require that all employees who come into its offices be vaccinated for COVID-19. Those new rules will also include any visitors to its headquarters.

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In July, Netflix became the first Hollywood studio to set a blanket policy requiring that the casts of all of its U.S. productions be vaccinated, as well as the crew members who come in contact with the performers on its films and shows. Those rules encompassed everyone working in “Zone A,” which is the new, COVID-era industry term for the parts of a film or television set where actors, directors and other essential crew work.

There have been reports that Netflix will require staffers to begin a widespread return to its office after Labor Day, but that will no longer be the case. Its offices are open to staff to use (provided they are vaccinated), but employees will continue to be allowed to work from home for the foreseeable future. A handful of staffers have been working from the streaming company’s headquarters during the pandemic, while the bulk of the workforce has worked remotely. Several media companies are considering delaying return to offices after initially announcing a September date.

Netflix is the latest in a line of big companies to impose vaccine mandates. Last week, the Walt Disney Company said it will require all of its salaried and non-union hourly employees be fully vaccinated before they work on their sites. Microsoft, Google and Walmart have also opted to require that all or most of their staff get shots before returning to the office.

Last month, Los Angeles, where Netflix has offices, reimposed mask mandates in the hopes of curbing the spread of COVID.

A spokesperson for Netflix declined to comment.

Jazz Tangcay contributed to this report.

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