By Stacey Tinsley | BIZ. Magazine
CVS and Target are among the latest major national retailers to announce a requirement for customers to wear face coverings inside their stores.
“We’re joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face coverings,” CVS tweeted Thursday. The policy takes effect Monday.
Target said in a statement it would start requiring masks or face coverings starting Aug. 1 in all stores. Target said it would provide disposable masks at entrances to customers who don’t have one.
The announcement came a day after Walmart, Kroger and Kohl’s said that masks would be mandatory in all their stores.
Best Buy announced Tuesday that it will require customers to wear masks.
No federal mandate to wear a mask exists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone “should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public.” The CDC said that “face coverings are meant to protect other people.”
Here is a list of some of the companies with mandatory mask policies in effect:
Walmart
“As the number of confirmed cases has spiked in communities across the country recently, so too have the number and types of face covering mandates being implemented. Currently about 65 percent of our more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings. To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols.” – Walmart
Kroger
“We recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country,” – Kroger
Kroger said customers with medical conditions may not be able to wear a mask, and it encourages them to wear a face shield or facial covering instead. The company asks those who are unable to do so to use Kroger’s e-commerce services for pickup or delivery.
Required facial coverings for Kroger customers start July 22.
Starbucks
“In its continued effort in prioritizing the health and well-being of partners (employees) and customers, Starbucks announced that beginning on July 15, it will be requiring customers to wear facial coverings while visiting all company-owned café locations in the US.” – Starbucks
Best Buy
“As COVID-19 cases continue to rise throughout the country, Best Buy is joining many retailers by requiring all customers to wear face coverings when shopping in all our stores.” – Best Buy
Target
Target said it will implement mandatory face coverings on Aug. 1.
CVS
With the recent spike in COVID-19 infections, we’re joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face coverings when entering any of our stores throughout the country effective Monday, July 20. – CVS Tweeted