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Walmart  (WMT) – Get Report and the Walt Disney Co.  (DIS) – Get Report on Friday updated their COVID-19 policies to require certain employees to be vaccinated, following new guidance released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in response to increased Delta variant infections.

Walmart’s updated policy requires all of its market, regional and divisional employees that work in multiple facilities and all of its headquarters office associates to be vaccinated by Oct. 4. 

The company said in its statement that it is also increasing its vaccination incentive payments to associates in stores, clubs, transportation offices, distribution centers and fulfillment centers from $75 to $150.  

Workers in stores located in counties with high COVID-19 transmission are required to wear masks. While customers are encouraged to wear masks, they are not required to wear them in stores.

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Several other major employers, including Google parent Alphabet  (GOOGL) – Get Report, Facebook  (FB) – Get Report and Netflix  (NFLX) – Get Report have announced requirements for employees returning to work to be vaccinated.

On Tuesday, the CDC updated its guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, urging them to wear masks indoors in public areas of communities where there is high transmission of COVID-19.

Walmart shares on Friday were up slightly at closing by 0.2% to $142.55. Disney stock was down 1.3% to $176.02.

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