Many Americans who celebrated being able to ditch their masks are receiving bad news from several major U.S. retailers. Companies across the country are issuing new guidelines on face coverings for both employees and customers due to the continued spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Below you’ll find a list of establishments that are currently asking or requiring that customers and employees mask up once again to curb the spread of the virus:
ALDI
Mandatory face coverings: unvaccinated customers and employees
Optional face coverings: vaccinated customers.
Apple
Mandatory face coverings: both shoppers and employees
Optional face coverings: vaccinated customers
AT&T
Mandatory face coverings: both shoppers and employees regardless of vaccination
Bed Bath & Beyond
Mandatory face coverings: both shoppers and employees. However, the company allows an exemption for fully vaccinated customers “in U.S. locations where permitted by local order or law.”
BJ's Wholesale
Mandatory face coverings: unvaccinated shoppers and employees, as well as all shoppers and staff in BJ’s optical department.
Optional face coverings: vaccinated customers and employees
Costco
Strongly encouraged face coverings: all employees and customers
CVS
Mandatory face coverings: both shoppers and employees who are not fully vaccinated
Optional face coverings: shoppers and employees who are fully vaccinated
Dunkin'
Mandatory face coverings: both shoppers and employees regardless of vaccination status
Home Depot
Mandatory face coverings: all shoppers, contractors, vendors, and employees regardless of vaccination status
Kohl's
Mandatory face coverings: employees in areas that have a substantial or high risk of transmission. Customers who live in those areas are asked to do the same, although it does not appear to be a mandatory requirement.
Kroger
Mandatory face coverings: vaccinated customers and employees working in in-store clinics and pharmacies
Strongly encouraged face coverings: fully vaccinated customers and employees
Lowe's
Mandatory face coverings: all employees
Strongly encouraged face coverings: all customers
McDonald's
Mandatory face coverings: customers and employees who live in areas that have a substantial or high risk of transmission
Nordstrom
Mandatory face coverings: anyone who has not been fully vaccinated
Publix
Strongly encouraged face coverings: all employees customers regardless of vaccination status
Sam’s Club
Mandatory face coverings: all associates working in an area of substantial transmission or areas where there are mask mandates, regardless of vaccination status
Strongly encouraged face coverings: all customers
Starbucks
Mandatory face coverings: all employees and any customers in areas where masks are required by local or state law. The chain "strongly recommends" customers wear facial coverings no matter what their vaccination status is.
Target
Mandatory face coverings: all employees. The retailer recommends face coverings for customers who live in areas that have a substantial or high risk of transmission.
TJX Companies (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Sierra, and HomeGoods)
Mandatory face coverings: all employees and unvaccinated customers
Optional face coverings: fully vaccinated customers.
Verizon
Mandatory face coverings: unvaccinated customers and employees. However, the company says it follows state and local requirements regarding mask use, so employees and customers may be required to wear a mask even if they are fully vaccinated in some areas.
Walgreens
Mandatory face coverings: all employees regardless of vaccination status and unvaccinated customers
Walmart
Mandatory face coverings: all associates working in an area of substantial transmission or areas where there are mask mandates, regardless of vaccination status
Strongly encouraged face coverings: all customers
Wegmans
Mandatory face coverings: All employees
Strongly encouraged face coverings: all customers
Whole Foods
Mandatory face coverings: unvaccinated customers and employees
Optional face coverings: vaccinated customers and employees