Although there is no federal mandate to wear a mask, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone “should wear a cloth face covering when they have to go out in public.” The CDC said that “the face covers are meant to protect other people.”
Most major retailers and grocery stores initially hesitated to enact their own masks mandates for customers during the pandemic, in part for fear of antagonizing shoppers who refuse to use them. Retailers have said they are reluctant to put their employees in the position of enforcing mask requirements.
But the terrain in the retail and restaurant industries has changed in recent weeks as the coronavirus pandemic worsens. More than 3.3 million people have tested positive for coronavirus across the country, and more than 130,000 have died. Cases are increasing in much of the country, and many cities and states are imposing restrictions to contain new outbreaks, including mask requirements in public settings.
“As the number of confirmed cases has skyrocketed in communities across the country recently, the number and types of facial coverage mandates have also been implemented,” Walmart said in a press release on Wednesday. About 65% of its more than 5,000 stores, including Sam’s Club locations, are located in areas where there is a government mandate to cover your face.
“To help provide consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to cover their faces beginning Monday, July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post posters, and train associates about the new protocols, “the company said.
Industry groups and unions have also stepped up their calls around mask requirements for customers.
Last week, the Retail Leaders Industry Association, an industry trade group, called on the nation’s governors to approve state mandates that require citizens to wear masks in public. The United States Food and Commercial Workers Union also urged government officials and business leaders to demand masks for customers in an advertisement over the weekend.
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