CNN’s New “No‑Vaccination No‑Entry” Policy: Three Staff Members Hit the Sack
The big news network that’s famous for news, sports and a few drama stories has decided to send three of its own into the Red Sea – or, more specifically, the office. According to an internal memo dated August 5, CNN’s President, Jeff Zucker, declared a “zero‑tolerance” stance on unvaccinated employees who still came into the office last week.
What the Memo Says
- Vaccination First: Any staff member who wants to step foot in a newsroom, studio or elsewhere on campus must show proof of a Covid‑19 vaccine. “Everyone from news, sports, and studios who comes in now and going forward must be vaccinated,” Zucker writes, adding that the company has been clear about this policy for months.
- No “Honor System”: Unlike the earlier days when employees were asked to just “truly believe” they were vaccinated, CNN will now require a vaccination card or badge as part of the onboarding process for office entry.
- Mask‑Up for Mid‑October: The September 7 return date has been pushed back to roughly mid‑October. Every office in Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Atlanta will operate with a mandatory mask policy, in line with the latest CDC guidance that even fully vaccinated people should still mask up during high‑transmission periods.
Why This Matters
While the memo itself doesn’t name the location of the incident, the implications are clear: a patch of the pandemic is still sending cables and headlines alike back into the headline because of lack of compliance. This isn’t CNN’s first brush with Covid‑19 policy. Other tech giants – Google, Facebook, the whole entourage – have already announced vaccine mandates for their staff, and the surge in American cases has driven many companies to revise their office‑return plans.
How CNN Is Running Things Now
- Space for the Vaccinated: Most of the network’s offices remain open for employees who wish to work there, as long as they’ve received the full Covid dose.
- Keep the Office Quiet: The new mask rule is expected to make the work environment a bit quieter. Everyone’s breathing in “mask‑air” while still talking about breaking news.
- Employee Response: While the memo was firm, the human side of the situation suggests some staff may have been surprised. “We’ve had enough time to bio‑fan out,” Zucker implied.
Bottom Line
CNN is stepping up its game against Covid‑19, enforcing vaccination proof and mask use as the nation looks to keep the virus from turning those journalism missions into pandemics. It’s a clear sign that the pandemic won’t let the news get out that far unless you’re fully vaccinated and wearing a mask. If you’re an office worker and still worried, maybe time to check your shot status – or at least have a good laugh about the mix‑ups and red tape.
