With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the much of the country, many state and local governments are requiring people to wear masks when they leave their homes.The CDC advocates wearing face coverings to help prevent the spread of the virus. Now more and more national retail chains, including Target, Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s and more, are requiring face masks in stores for shoppers as well as staff. Typically, these restrictions do not apply to children under two or those with a medical condition that prohibits them from wearing a mask. Looking for a face mask that will fit your kiddo? We’ve rounded up the best ones right here.
Editor’s Note: At the time of publication these are the stores requiring face coverings. We’re doing our best to keep you up to date and will update the list as more stores change their coronavirus protocols.
Here are all the major retailers requiring customers to wear face coverings in locations nationwide:
Walmart
On Jul. 15 it was announced that masks would be required at all Walmart and Sam’s Club outlets starting Jul. 20. To help ensure consistency with this new process, all stores will have a single entrance. Employees will be stationed at store entrances to remind customers of the requirement and supply disposable masks to those who arrive without one.
Amazon
The e-commerce brand instituted a mask requirement on Jul. 20 at Whole Foods supermarkets and Amazon brick-and-mortar stores. They will continue to offer free, disposable masks to customers who do not have their own.
Kroger
Effective Jul. 22, all customers will now be required to wear a mask. “We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country,” the company said in a statement released on Jul. 15.
Costco
Since May 4 the warehouse store has required all customers to wear a face covering.“This is not simply a matter of personal choice; a face covering protects not just the wearer but others, too,” said President and CEO Craig Jelinek.
Walgreens
On Jul. 16, the drugstore announced that they would be requiring all customers to wear a face covering effective Jul. 20. Kevin Ban, Walgreens chief medical officer said, “As cases continue to rise in many parts of the country, it’s critical we, as businesses and members of the community, do everything we can.”
Home Depot
All customers must wear a face mask effective Jul. 22. “Social distancing captains and store associates will be available to provide masks to those shoppers who may not have one,” the company said in an announcement on Jul 17.
CVS
The pharmacy chain will now require all customers wear face coverings effective Jul. 20. In a statement on Jul. 16, Jon Roberts, the company’s chief operating officer said, “We’re not asking our store employees to play the role of enforcer,”What we are asking is that customers help protect themselves and those around them by listening to the experts and heeding the call to wear a face covering.”
Target
The retailer updated their Coronavirus Response Page on Jul 16. Starting Aug. 1 all customers will be required to wear a face covering. Stores will provide disposable masks to shoppers who arrive without one.
Lowe’s
Effective Jul. 20, all customers will be required to wear a face mask. In a statement on Jul. 17, CEO Marvin Ellison said, “For the safety of everyone in our stores, we ask that customers wear masks, and to make this new standard less restrictive, we will make masks available to those who need them.”
Albertsons
Effective Jul. 21, all customers will be required to wear a face covering the parent company of Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel Osco and other grocery chains announced Jul. 16 on its corporate website.
Apple Store
As Apple begins opening its retail stores, they announced that all customers will be required to wear a face mask. “Face coverings will be required for all of our teams and customers, and we will provide them to customers who don’t bring their own,” according to their opening letter.
Best Buy
All customers are required to wear a face covering. The electronics chain will provide a mask for those who do not have one according to a statement released Jul. 14.
Publix
Beginning Jul. 21, all customers will be required to wear a face mask according to a statement posted to their coronavirus updates web page.
ALDI
Effective Jul. 27 face coverings will be required for all ALDI customers as a “an enhanced safety measure intended to help limit the spread of COVID-19.”
Trader Joe’s
On Jul. 15, Trader Joe’s announced that they are now requiring customers to wear a face covering.
H-E-B
The Texas grocery chain released a press statement saying, “In areas that do not have a local ordinance in place, H-E-B stores will require the use of masks or facial coverings.”
Macy’s
All customers will be required to wear a face mask effective Jul 22. According to a statement released Jul. 17, if a customer does not have a mask, the store will provide one.
Verizon
According to a statement on the store’s web page, customers are required to wear cloth face coverings.
Kohl’s
Starting Jul. 20, all customers will be required to wear a face mask. According to a statement released Jul. 15, “Store associates have been trained on the new health and safety measures in place, and we have associate greeters at the entrance of each store to welcome shoppers and remind them to wear masks.”
Starbucks
As of Jul. 15, all customers are required to wear a face covering. According to a statement from the coffee chain, “It is our responsibility to protect our partners and comply with local public health mandates. As such, our partners have the right and responsibility to refuse service to customers who are not wearing facial coverings.”
Meijer
Effective Jul. 20, the supermarket chain is requiring face coverings for all locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.
Rite Aid
As of Jul. 21, customers will be required to wear face masks. According to a statement released Jul. 17, a free mask will be provided for those who come without one.
Gap
Masks will be required in all stores including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Intermix, Athleta, and Janie and Jack, starting Aug. 1 according to a Jul. 20 update to the companies coronavirus response page.
American Eagle
Customers at American Eagle and Aerie stores are now required to wear a face covering. Face masks are available to any customer that may need one.
BJ’s Wholesale
Effective Jul. 21, all customers will be required to wear a face mask. Out of an abundance of caution, they are also temporarily stopping food sampling in their clubs.
Menards
According to the store’s COVID-19 Policy page, all customers are required to wear a mask. Face coverings are required on children unless in arms or seated in shopping carts.
PetSmart
On Jul. 17 the pet supply chain updated its coronavirus information page to require all customers to wear face coverings.
Panera Bread
Beginning Jul. 15, all customers will be required to wear a face mask except while seated and eating or drinking.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Featured photo: Vera Davidova on Unsplash
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