Berkshire Hathaway will be hosting its AGM in person this April, after the event has been hosted virtually since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but those who attended will be required to present a certificate of vaccination against coronavirusthe company said in a statement.
The annual meeting, long known as “Woodstock for the Capitalists,” used to bring tens of thousands of Berkshire shareholders to Omaha for hours of direct listening to Warren E. Buffett, the billionaire CEO.
“As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our shareholders, proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting and the Berkshire Bazaar Deals,” the statement said. the company saidadding that he has partnered with CLEAR Health Pass “to make your participation in the annual meeting hassle-free.”
“For foreign members and shareholders who do not use the CLEAR app, we will have flagged doors so you can provide evidence of Covid-19 vaccinations and proper identification,” the company said in a statement. “A digital or paper copy of your Covid-19 vaccination record will be required.”
The demand was included in Berkshire’s annual report to shareholders released on Saturday, which showed a profit of nearly $90 billion for 2021 and included a letter from Mr Buffett highlighting the powerful role the company has played in the United States economy.
This is Mr. Buffett’s latest attempt to make a name for himself and his $713 billion company as it continues to be one of America’s most successful businesses. Last year was a good one for Berkshire, with the company reporting $89.8 billion in profit, more than double its 2020 earnings.
Mr. Buffett also praised the government’s role in growing his business. “Our shareholders should recognize—and even trumpet—the fact that Berkshire’s prosperity has greatly contributed to the company’s presence in America,” he wrote.