Amazon shortens Covid isolation period, giving American workers paid leave

Amazon.com Inc on Friday told workers they only had to quarantine for a week after testing positive for Covid-19, instead of 10 days, according to updated US health guidance.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has caused a spike in US cases and worker shortages at schools, airlines and businesses. On Tuesday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported recent guidance that people with the virus can end isolation after five days.

In a message to employees that Amazon shared with Reuters, the online retailer said its new week-long quarantine policy takes effect immediately. Workers with the virus may receive up to 40 hours of paid leave, a corresponding reduction in shorter quarantine periods.

“Don’t come to work if you are sick,” the message read. “Additional leave options are available for those who still have symptoms after a week.”

Wall The Street Journal previously reported.

With hundreds of thousands of warehouse and logistics employees, Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the United States. Walmart Inc, the largest, this week told workers it has halved Covid-19 paid leave in line with updated CDC guidance.