Yelp will allow business pages to feature whether proof of vaccination is required to enter – and if the entire staff has been fully vaccinated against COVID.
The review app announced the updates Thursday as the spread of the delta variant has forced officials to rethink reopening logistics. In New York City, de Blasio announced a forthcoming vaccine mandate for indoor spaces like restaurants, gyms and entertainment centers, with other municipalities considering similar restrictions.
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“With the uncertainty surrounding the spread of the COVID Delta variant, we’re seeing an increasing number of businesses implement new safety measures to protect their employees and communities,” Noorie Malik, vice president of user operations at Yelp, wrote in a blog post.
Malik said the feature aims to help customers stay informed while hopefully shielding businesses from blowback based on their policies. Users will be able to filter searches based on the new features.
The app will be “proactively monitoring” yelp pages that activate such features and delete pile-on reviews that criticize businesses over coronavirus policies -- known as “review bombs,” according to Malik.
“For businesses that activate “Proof of vaccination required” and “All staff fully vaccinated” on their Yelp page, we are putting protective measures in place to proactively safeguard them from reviews that primarily criticize the COVID health and safety measures they enforce,” Malik wrote.
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