Starbucks nixes vaccine mandate after Supreme Court ruling

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer

Starbucks is no longer requiring its U.S. workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing a policy it announced earlier this month.

The Seattle coffee giant says it's responding to last week's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6-3 vote, the court rejected the Biden administration's plan to require vaccines or regular COVID testing at companies with more than 100 workers.

On Jan. 3, Starbucks said it would require its 228,000 U.S. employees to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or face a weekly COVID test requirement. Starbucks won't say how many of its employees are fully vaccinated.