Coles to scrap Covid-19 vaccination requirement for staff

Coles has announced it has scrapped a major Covid-19 requirement for all its staff.

Coles has announced it has scrapped Covid-19 vaccine mandates for its staff.

The company’s decision comes after a review of its vaccination policy, which took into account the significant reduction in Covid-19 case numbers since the beginning of 2023, updated advice from health experts, and consultation with its team members.

Coles emphasised that its decision does not reflect any change in its commitment to ensuring the safety of its employees, customers, and suppliers.

Coles has announced it will be scrapping Covid-19 vaccine mandates for staff as of today.

The company stated that it will continue to strongly encourage all team members, contractors, and suppliers to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and to stay up to date with their jabs.

The announcement from Coles follows a similar decision by other major Australian companies, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, which recently dropped their vaccine mandates for employees.

“Coles has reviewed and updated its Covid-19 vaccination policy and will no longer require vaccination for team members at our stores, distribution centres or other sites from 1 March 2023,” Coles said in a statement.

“The decision is informed by the significant reduction in Covid-19 case numbers since the start of 2023, updated advice from health experts and consultation with our team members.

“The evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations has not changed, and Coles continues to strongly encourage all team members, contractors and suppliers to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.”

Coles will retain several other CovidSafe measures including sanitiser stations, the option to wear a face mask, and requirements for those experiencing symptoms or who have tested positive.

Coles states that it adopted a vaccination policy during acute stages of the pandemic, informed by “advice from medical experts, to limit the spread of Covid-19 and support the safety of customers and team members across the country”.

Coles emphasised that its decision does not reflect any change in its commitment to ensuring the safety of its employees, customers, and suppliers.

In November 2022, the Woolworths Group revealed it would no longer require its employees to be vaccinated at their supermarkets.

During the peak of the pandemic, staff had been required to be vaccinated, unless they had a valid reason for exemption.

After a review of this policy, the Woolworths Group consulted with its team members and changed its vaccine status from being a requirement to “strongly encouraged”.

Woolworths said it had engaged with workforce health and safety representatives prior to making the change.

The Group’s chief medical officer, Dr Rob McCartney, thanked the team for playing a crucial role in the fight against Covid.

“High vaccination rates across the community have played a crucial role in Australia’s fight against Covid, reducing the severity of infections and delivering a return to greater freedoms with the continued easing of restrictions,” Dr McCartney said.