All SFO Workers Required To Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — All workers at the San Francisco International Airport are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective immediately, the first such mandate for a U.S. airport, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced on Tuesday.

Those who are exempt due to religious or medical reasons will be required to be tested weekly. Companies that are tenants or contractors with the airport will be required to submit updates on vaccination status of their employees until all on-site personnel are fully vaccinated.

“We know that vaccines are the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 transmission and reduce hospitalizations and deaths,” Breed said in a statement. “This new requirement supports our aggressive measures to protect the health and safety of our region and our continued economic recovery. I want to thank SFO for their continued leadership protecting our city and its visitors.”

The airport, which is offering free vaccines at its medical clinic, has served as a COVID-19 testing site and later a mass vaccination site for San Mateo County. SFO has also been a hub for vaccine tourism.

“Throughout this pandemic, SFO has been leading the aviation industry in protecting passengers and employees alike,” Airport Director Ivar C. Satero said. “As SFO prepares for the upcoming holiday travel season, and the return of pre-pandemic passenger levels, we have an obligation to provide a safe airport facility for the traveling public and our on-site employees.”