UNITED STATES - Grocery retail is essential to the livelihood of Americans, and the past several months have brought many changes to their experiences. As more information continues to surface surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the biggest names in grocery have taken the initiative by requiring that all workers and shoppers wear face masks while in stores.
Some of the retailers we’ve seen implementing this change recently include Costco, Walmart, Albertsons, Publix, Meijer, Kroger, and Target.
Costco President and CEO Craig Jelinek released a statement announcing that face masks would be required for all employees and customers effective May 4, noting that this simple action has the power to protect not only yourself but those around you.
“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,” said Dacona Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Walmart U.S., and Lance de la Rosa, Chief Operating Officer of Sam’s Club, in a joint release. “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.”
According to BoiseDev, Albertsons is now another retailer requiring that face coverings be worn by both employees and shoppers at all stores including its Safeway, Carrs, Acme, Jewel Osco, Shaws, and other banners.
“Effective July 21, 2020, we will require customers across all of our locations to wear face coverings when shopping with us, for their protection and for that of our associates,” the company said to the news source.
Publix also plans to implement this requirement as of July 21.
“With the number of coronavirus cases continuing to grow and current CDC guidance indicating face coverings can help slow the spread of COVID-19, we believe requiring face coverings in our stores is another way we can do our part to help protect our communities,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous in a press release.
Meijer was yet another retailer to release a statement, furthering its commitment to the safety of all.
As reported by WIBC, Kroger said on Twitter, “With the increase in #COVID19 cases across the country, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus. Starting July 22, we will require all customers in all locations to wear a mask, joining our associates who continue to wear masks.”
Target also recently announced the company will be enforcing the new requirements beginning August 1.
“Given the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the role masks play in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, our store team members also already wear masks when they come to work, which we provide for them,” Target said in a statement as reported by USA Today.
And this is just a short list of retailers implementing this requirement! For all of the latest grocery news, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
