Automakers Lift Mask Requirement at Auto Plants Not in High Virus Risk Areas

U.S. union auto workers will no longer be required to wear face masks if their factories are in counties that are not at high risk for COVID-19.

A task force of officials from Ford, General Motors, Stellantis and the United Auto Workers union came to an agreement on Thursday (March 3) regarding the mask requirement.

In a statement, the union says the officials are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to make masks optional, whether or not workers are vaccinated. Automakers are required to alert workers when the changes go into effect at their plants.

Masks have been required for more than 150,000 workers represented by the UAW since May of 2020. At that point, factories were reopening following an eight-week shutdown at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.