Tyson tells employees they’re free to unmask if vaccinated

Tyson Foods, the country’s largest meat producer, told staff Tuesday that it would drop mask requirements for fully vaccinated employees. Masks will still be required at some plants based on local laws and federal regulations, CBS News reports. The move follows a November directive that mandated vaccinations for the company’s employees, many who work in poultry processing plants—sites of mass Covid-19 spread at the start of the pandemic. Tyson joins some other major companies that have also relaxed mask requirements for their workforces. Both Amazon and Walmart have nixed the policy for fully vaccinated employees, while tightening Covid emergency paid leave benefits. And a chorus of states including California, Illinois, New York, and Oregon have indicated they will relax statewide mask requirements in the coming weeks as governments and the private sector attempt a return to business as usual. —Safiya Charles