The company announced that its members would receive a one-time payment of $ 100 if they show evidence that they have received the full doses recommended by the manufacturer of a Covid-19 vaccine. Workers who cannot receive the vaccine for health or religious reasons can receive payment if they take an educational course on health and safety, the company said in a press release.
“We know that the most effective defense against this pandemic comes in the form of the COVID-19 vaccine and the continuation of the strict safety precautions that we have established in our stores, factories and supply chain,” said Dr. Marc Watkins, Chief Medical Officer Kroger’s statement in the statement. “We are strongly encouraging all customers and associates to receive the vaccine to contain the spread of COVID-19 and will do everything we can to ensure that they have access as soon as it is available.”
The Kroger Co. (KR) operates multi-name supermarkets in 35 states.
The company said it would also spend an additional $ 50 million to thank and reward its members, including a $ 100 store credit and 1,000 fuel points for its associates in the supermarket, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and hourly call center. in time.
Earlier this week, the chain announced it would permanently close two Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores it owns in Long Beach, Calif., To avoid paying a $ 4 / hour severance payment required by the city.
Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Dollar General and Instacart also announced that they would pay workers to encourage them to get vaccinated.
Health officials say progress has been made in the US vaccination effort.
A total of 36,819,212 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States and the 7-day average is 1.3 million doses per day, according to data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. USA.
