Orlando, Florida. As a new week begins, more major retailers will begin requiring customers to put on facial covers.
Walmart’s tenure at its namesake stores and Sam’s Club begins Monday, as do the masking mandates at Lowe’s, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Kohl’s, Walgreens, and CVS.
PetSmart will require face masks or covers in its stores beginning Monday, July 20, the company said in a weekend email. She also said that store employees must wear masks and that companies clean themselves regularly. Any customer without a mask can request one.
An order to cover your face begins at Publix supermarkets on Tuesday. Orders at Kroger stores and Home Depot begin Wednesday.
Aldi’s policy begins on July 27. Target’s policy doesn’t start until August 1.
With the increase in cases in various states, many retailers have begun to require facial coatings. The Association of Retail Industry Leaders issued a letter last week that it had sent to state governors, saying that mask mandates were needed and the hodgepodge of requirements across the country was causing confusion.
“Without government leadership, a small but significant segment of customers will continue to ignore private sector warnings, endangering themselves and others by shopping without a mask or mask,” said the letter, signed by the CEO of 21 major companies, including Auto Zone, Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Gap, IKEA, Petco, and Petsmart.
The National Association of Governors said its members were discussing the letter and similar ones from different retail groups.
Another CEO who signed the letter was Anthony Hucker, who heads Southeastern Grocers, which includes Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo, and Harveys. However, on Thursday, a Southeastern Grocers spokesperson told Spectrum News that it would not require facial covers in stores, except where local mandates so require.
“Currently, we are adhering to all local safety mandates within each of our stores and strongly encourage those who are medically capable of wearing a mask to do so. We do not want to cause undue friction among our customers and associates by regulating the masks mandates, and we encourage state officials to lead the way in regulating these types of security mandates, “the statement said.
Other businesses that have already required skins include Trader Joe’s, Apple, Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Costco, and Starbucks.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.
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