The move comes even as the US is recording a surge in the
highly transmissible BA.5 variant of Covid-19, citing an internal e-mail from
the Covid-19 response team, The Verge reported.
"We are writing to share an update to our current
protocols. In light of current circumstances, wearing a face mask will no
longer be required in most locations. As always, please check Welcome Forward
regularly for specific requirements for your site, including those from local
health authorities, or any site you may visit," the e-mail reads.
"We recognise that everyone's personal circumstances
are different. Don't hesitate to continue wearing a face mask if you feel more
comfortable doing so. Also, please respect every individual's decision to wear
a mask or not," it added.
Apple started requiring some employees to return to the
office in April, but stopped short of implementing its full hybrid model, which
would mandate three days of in-person work for all employees, every week.
In May, Apple delayed its full return-to-office policy while
maintaining two days a week at the workplace for the time being amid the fresh
surge in Covid infections in the US.
The tech giant has told workers in an internal memo that
"we are extending the phase-in period of the pilot and maintaining two
days a week in the office for the time being".