U.S. mandates vaccines or tests for big companies by January 4

The White House sees the new requirements as a potent tool to winnow down the ranks of the tens of millions of Americans who have thus far refused to get a shot.

Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully by January 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under the government rules issued on Thursday.

The new requirements, which were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September, will apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses, although it is not clear how many of those employees are unvaccinated.