Richmond area employers weighing options on policies regarding COVID19 vaccination

'As we have throughout the pandemic, we will prioritize the health and safety of our colleagues as we determine our COVID-related policies and practices,' Rein said.

At SimpliSafe's offices and call center in the Willow Lawn shopping center in Henrico, workers will be asked to provide their vaccination status, including the manufacturer and dates of vaccination, starting in mid-August, spokesperson Amy Nagy said.

The company, which is a provider of self-installed home security systems, had been periodically surveying employees anonymously for their vaccination status and likelihood of getting vaccinated, so the company could understand overall vaccination rates, she said.

By requiring employees to provide vaccination status, 'this will allow us to make more specific plans in the future,' Nagy said.

Also starting in the middle of this month, SimpliSafe employees will be given and encouraged to use free, at-home tests for COVID-19.

'Those who are unvaccinated will need to take a test at the beginning of each week of attendance at work,' she said.

SimpliSafe workers also will continue having their temperature taken upon entering the building, and they must wear masks.

Packaging giant WestRock, which has a large office in downtown Richmond, reinstated face-covering mandates at all facilities and office locations regardless of vaccination status, after recently updated guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.