More companies are revising their mask requirements in the wake of the updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC announced last week that, in light of the spread of the Covid-19 delta variant, it now recommends that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks in public, indoor spaces in areas where there is substantial or high transmission of the coronavirus.
Target said that, effective 3 August, it will require face coverings for its team members and “strongly recommend” the same for all shoppers in areas with substantial or high risk of transmission, as defined by the CDC.
“We’ll follow all local mandates, as we have throughout the pandemic, and continue to monitor guidance from the CDC closely,” Target stated. “We will also maintain all of our health and safety protocols that include increased cleaning measures and social distancing.”
In a similar move, The Home Depot will require all employees, contractors and vendors to wear a mask while indoors at all US Home Depot stores, distribution centres, office locations and customers’ homes or businesses, regardless of vaccination status. The home improvement retailer said it will also ask its customers to wear masks while in its stores and continue to offer masks to those who don’t have one.
The Kroger Co. is “strongly encouraging” all employees and customers, regardless of vaccination status, to return to wearing masks while inside stores. “We will continue to abide by all state and local mandates and encourage all Americans to get vaccinated, including our associates,” the company stated.
