The facial covering mandate for the retail giants will take effect on July 20.
Walmart and Sam’s Club announced Wednesday that they will begin requiring all customers to cover their faces when shopping at their stores as the coronavirus pandemic breaks out in the U.S.
“While we are certainly not the first business to require face covers, we know this is a simple step that everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others at our facilities,” Dacona Smith, COO of Walmart and Lance de la Rosa, The club’s Sam’s COO said in a joint statement announcing the mandate. Sam’s Club is a subsidiary of Walmart.
The retail giants said the mandate takes effect on July 20, but added that 65% of their stores are already located in areas with some form of government mandate on facial coatings.
“According to the CDC, facial coatings help decrease the spread of COVID-19, and because the virus can be transmitted by people who do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected, it is extremely important that everyone wear a face covering public and social distance, “added the statement.
Walmart said they created a new role for “Health Ambassador,” who will be stationed near the entrance to remind customers without a mask of the new requirements, and the ambassadors will receive special training to “help make the process go. easier for customers. ” ”
The health ambassador will also “work with customers who show up at a store without covering their faces to try to find a solution,” according to Smith.
Meanwhile, at Sam’s Club, associates at the entrance will remind customers without facial coverage of the mask’s mandate and complimentary masks will be provided if the member does not have one, the company said.
“We know that some people have different opinions on this issue,” added Smith and De la Rosa. “We also recognize the role we can play in helping protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials such as the CDC.”
Medical authorities, including the CDC and the World Health Organization, have said that wearing face covers play an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities. However, in the United States, medical guidance has been embroiled in a culture war amid the pandemic, and masks have even become a hot spot for confrontation and violence.
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