Dear Getty community,

We are so pleased to be on the verge of returning everyone back to our sites, after successfully reopening our galleries and gardens to the public. We are operating safely at full capacity and many employees have been returning to their offices, continuing to follow Los Angeles County guidelines that currently require everyone to wear masks indoors. We are proceeding with our plans to return everyone to offices and workplaces by September 7, including telework arrangements for those positions where it is mutually beneficial.

We previously announced Getty’s intention to require everyone working on our sites to be vaccinated. Thank you to the more than 1,000 Getty employees and more than 400 contract employees, volunteers and docents who have already verified their vaccinations. 

I write to confirm that Getty will require vaccines of everyone this fall, with the goal of having everyone fully vaccinated by the time we return in September. This requirement applies to all staff, contractors, volunteers, docents, scholars and interns working regularly at any of our sites—Getty Villa, Getty Center and the Valencia Annex. This requirement is based on the serious threat that the COVID-19 pandemic poses to Getty’s staff and visitors, and our legal and moral obligation to protect our community. In addition, local, state and national health officials have determined that the approved vaccines are safe and effective, and protect individuals from a broad range of variants and most severe forms of illness and hospitalization. While other public health measures, such as face coverings and physical distancing, help reduce the level of infection, none are known to be as effective as vaccination.

If you are not yet vaccinated, please plan to obtain your vaccines now. As you know, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your final dose, whether the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. Getty is planning another free vaccination clinic for employees, contract employees, docents and volunteers and/or your family members on Monday, August 2 at Getty Center’s North Parking lot, with the second dose scheduled Monday, August 30. Register by visiting the Curative Scheduling Page. Look for more information in Monday’s Getty THIS WEEK.

We understand that some people may not be able to receive the vaccine due to a disability, medical condition or sincerely held religious belief and practice. In those cases, employees will engage with Human Resources in determining whether an exemption may be accommodated. Anyone not fully vaccinated will be subject to additional requirements aimed at keeping our community safe.

We have updated our Return-to-Work question and answer document with additional information about the vaccine requirement, attached to this note. This updated FAQ can also can be found on Getty GO.

Vaccines are crucial to protecting the health and well-being of everyone working on our sites, and to helping our community combat the recent surge in infections among unvaccinated people. Thank you for doing your part.

Steve Olsen
Chief Operating Office and Chief Financial Officer