BREAKING NEWS! Scripps Ends COVID Policy

An internal email went out to Scripps employees informing them that the company was ending the mandate that employees must be vaccinated.

FTVLive obtained a copy of the email:

Colleagues:

After careful review of the facts and thoughtful consideration, Scripps has decided to lift its COVID-19 vaccination policy effective Monday, Aug. 8. We no longer will require Scripps employees and visitors to Scripps’ facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Last September, when we announced the vaccination policy, it was a decision in keeping with our three priorities of protecting the health and well-being of our employees, serving our audiences and communities and maintaining business continuity. Having the vaccination requirement in place earlier this year was crucial in allowing us to bring all employees back into our buildings safely.

We are now nearly six months into a successful return to Scripps’ workplaces. While the pandemic is not over, we have moved into a different phase. New variants of the virus are more infectious but seemingly no more severe, especially for those who are vaccinated and boosted. Additionally, effective antiviral treatments, which were not readily accessible when we implemented our policy, are now widely available and effective in reducing severe outcomes.

In line with these broader shifts and consistent with current public health guidance and our three priorities, we believe that we can safely end our vaccination policy.

While we will no longer require vaccinations, Scripps still strongly encourages vaccinations and boosters. And we will continue to offer up to two hours of time off, with pay, for you to receive a vaccination dose or booster shot during your regular workday.

The Scripps mask policy will remain in place. In line with CDC guidance, masks are required for all employees and visitors at any Scripps location with a high COVID-19 Community Level, and optional for all employees and visitors at Scripps locations where its primary facility is in a county that has a low or medium CDC COVID-19 Community Level.

We also will continue to follow the CDC’s quarantine procedures related to positive COVID-19 tests or exposure to COVID-19. To protect the well-being of others, employees must still comply with our communicable disease policy and stay home when sick.

If you have questions that aren't answered in these FAQs, please reach out to your HR business partner.

Take care and be well.

Adam Symson (he/his)
President and CEO