Alaska Air to require COVID-19 vaccine for employees

SEATTLE (AP) — Alaska Air Group has told its 22,000 employees they will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination. The Seattle Times reports there are some exceptions to the policy, which has shifted since last month. The Seattle-based company said in an email to all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees that they will now be required to be fully vaccinated or approved for a reasonable accommodation. Officials say it would be in accordance with the White House executive order that requires all federal contractors to have their workers vaccinated. It replaces a policy which paid vaccinated employees $200 and required regular testing for others. At that time, Alaska said that 75% of its employees had been vaccinated.