Several AZ Stores Drop Mask Requirement For Vaccinated Customers

ARIZONA —Several large retailers in Arizona have changed their mask policies in accordance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated people don't need to wear masks in most settings.

Target will no longer require masks for customers and employees that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in its Arizona stores starting Monday. Walmart, Costco, Starbucks and Trader Joe's said they would no longer have mask requirements for fully vaccinated guests except when required by local ordinance last Friday.

"Given the CDC's updated guidance last week, Target will no longer require fully vaccinated guests and team members to wear face coverings in our stores, except where it's required by local ordinances," the retailer said. "Face coverings will continue to be strongly recommended for guests and team members who are not fully vaccinated and we'll continue our increased safety and cleaning measures, including social distancing, throughout our stores."

Here are some businesses that no longer require masks for fully vaccinated customers and employees in Arizona right now:

• Target. A spokesperson told Patch that vaccinated guests and team members will no longer be required to wear face coverings in their stores, unless local ordinance says otherwise.
• CVS announced Monday that customers who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings inside of its stores. This may change depending on local government rules.
• Costco's President and CEO Craig Jelinek said that stores have a revised policy in U.S locations with no state or local mask requirements. Fully vaccinated guests can enter Costco without a mask or face shield where state and local jurisdiction permit.

The CDC sent out new masking guidelines Thursday and said that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing except where required by local laws. The CDC considers people to be "fully vaccinated" two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

There is no active statewide mandate for wearing a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Arizona. Some Arizona cities like Tucson and Tempe still have ordinances requiring masks for public indoor use.

Other retailers and business associations in Arizona have kept mask requirements:

• A spokesperson for Kroger, which owns Fry's Food Stores, told Patch that masks will still be required inside of its stores while reviewing the CDC's latest guidance.
• Aldi still requires face coverings to enter its stores, according to its website.
• Walgreens still requires face coverings at all stores.