America’s third largest airline, Delta, is set to impose a $200 monthly fee for unvaccinated employees

In addition to the new mandate – Delta Airlines also says it will only pay sick pay to COVID sufferers who have been fully vaccinated but still get infected.

The airlines CEO, Ed Bastian said it would help stem the “aggressive spread” of coronavirus as infections rise across the US.

It is the latest attempt by a big firm to encourage staff into getting the jab

In a statement, Mr Bastian stated that the airline’s surcharge would apply from 1st of November to staff enrolled in its healthcare insurance plan, meaning most of its 75,000 workers will be impacted.

Bastian confirmed that the average hospital stay for Covid-19 now cost Delta $50,000 per person which was “untenable”.

Masks also become a mandated requirement to the unvaccinated

Additionally, from 30 September unvaccinated staff at the airline will also be required to undertake weekly COVID-19 tests and the use of masks will be compulsory in all wear in all indoor Delta settings.

The latest announcement from Delta Airlines comes as US firms continue trying a range of approaches to encourage staff to get vaccinated – especially as the Delta variant of coronavirus sweeps across America.