GameStop will require all customers to wear face masks at their U.S. locations beginning July 27, the company announced through a press release today.
“We believe this is the right thing to do to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our associates and customers from the growing expansion of COVID-19,” GameStop CEO George Sherman said in the statement. “Providing a safe environment in our stores for all customers and store associates remains our top priority, and wearing a face covering is a simple step each of us can take to ensure the safety of others in our stores.”
the fighting The video game retailer previously made headlines when its workers were unprepared to deal with what was then a burgeoning pandemic. In March, several GameStop employees spoke to Kotaku on these topics, detailing situations where they were left without adequate sanitation supplies and forced to stay open even when local governments called for the closure of nonessential businesses. GameStop eventually cancel midnight releases and close shops, only for reopen several places in April.
With this, GameStop joins Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, and Starbucks on the growing list of companies that require customers to wear masks, both for their own safety and for the safety of others.
While many countries have battled the covid-19 pandemic with government assistance and common sense public health considerations, the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the United States continues to rise. States have been slow to enact mask requirements, and some politicians even pushing back about the idea despite all indications that the masks are vital to stop the spread of the virus.
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