Google restores pre-pandemic perks and lifts mask mandates in Bay Area offices

By Brian Fung, CNN

Google is relaxing Covid-19 policies at its headquarters and other offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and bringing back some of its famous office perks as it fully opens some of its facilities.

Gone are Google’s mask mandates in all Bay Area offices, except for those in Santa Clara County, the company told CNN Wednesday. While vaccinations will still be required for those showing up to work in person, the company said it will no longer require weekly Covid-19 testing, dispensing with a policy that it introduced in January.

About a third of the company’s Bay Area workforce went into the office last week, Google said. But that number could rise as Google announced the return of pre-pandemic perks such as onsite massages, company shuttles, cafes and gyms.

“Based on current conditions in the Bay Area, we’re pleased that our employees who choose to come in now have the ability to access more onsite spaces and services to work and connect with colleagues,” a Google spokesperson said.

Going to the office remains a voluntary option for Google employees, the company added.

Earlier this month, Microsoft said it was fully reopening its offices in Washington state and in the Bay Area, with its other US offices likely to follow suit “as conditions allow.”

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