Netflix to mandate vaccines for cast members, employees on production sets

As the world copes with trying to figure out how to return to normalcy, the streaming giant Netflix will require staff to be vaccinated.

An exclusive from Deadline reports that company management has sent word down to production projects that COVID-19 shots are mandatory for the workplace—the caveat being that the vaccine mandate is for "Zone A" actors and crew who have to work on film sets without any protections.

It's described as a blanket policy across all the company's US sites. This distinction stands out as last week's negotiations by studios and unions in Hollywood came to an "optional" and "production-by-production basis" as seen fit.

The agreement spells out that physical proof of vaccination is required and that it can't just be a word of mouth confirmation. For Netflix's case, they'll be stringent with allowing exceptions for "medical, religious, or age" reasons.

This week, the conversation surrounding vaccine requirements was complicated by the CDC issuing guidance saying vaccinated people need to re-mask if they're residing in a high-risk area.

On Thursday, tensions flared in the White House briefing room when Peter Doocy of Fox News confronted President Joe Biden about going back on previous promises regarding mask requirements.

Another example of the intensified conversation came from CNN’s Don Lemon. He said on-air to colleague Chris Cuomo that unvaccinated people should not be allowed to participate in society, if they continue to refuse.

Earlier in July, the White House signaled their support for vaccine mandates being enacted by companies in the private sector. When it comes to requirements for staff of federal agencies, Biden has so far said that employees who work at Veterans Affairs hospitals will need to get a COVID-19 shot.