Business & Tech
Masks Ordered At FL Walmart, Publix, Target, Kohl's Stores
Several FL retailers decided this week to require masks to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Here's the latest list.
FLORIDA — Walmart, Target, Publix and BJ's Wholesale joined a growing list of retailers this week when the companies announced they will soon require Florida shoppers to wear masks. The requirement applies to Walmart's 5,000-plus U.S. stores and includes Sam's Club locations.
The mask requirements at Walmart and Kohl's go into effect Monday, the companies said.
Target's policy goes into effect nationwide on Aug. 1, with an exception for children and people with underlying health conditions. The chain said more than 1,800 of its stores already require customers to wear masks because of local or state regulations.
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Walmart joins a growing list of retailers issuing blanket policies requiring mask use by customers. On Tuesday, Best Buy announced it would start requiring masks in all stores, effective Wednesday.
A similar mandate went into effect at Starbucks on Wednesday, and Costco has required masks since May.
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Winn-Dixie originally wasn't going to mandate masks but reversed its decision over the weekend.
“The majority of our stores are under either a local or state government mandate, and given the continued rise of positive COVID cases in our communities across the Southeast, beginning Monday, July 27, we will be requiring masks to be worn by customers to help reduce the spread of the disease,” Joe Caldwell, director of corporate communications and government affairs for Southeastern Grocers. Southeastern Grocers is the parent company of Winn-Dixie.
Caldwell said mask mandates are a “highly charged issue” and Winn-Dixie would not “want to put our associates in a position to navigate interpersonal conflict or prohibit customers from shopping in our stores."
Walmart, Target, Kroger and CVS are among other major retailers requiring both customers and employees to wear masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
- Apple: When Apple reopened stores in May, the company required all shoppers to wear a mask. Apple will provide masks for customers who don’t bring their own.
- Publix: Effective July 21, Publix will require all shoppers to wear face coverings.
- Winn-Dixie will be requiring masks to be worn by customers and staff starting Monday, July 27.
- Walgreens: Starting July 20, all customers will be required to wear face coverings at Walgreens.
- Trader Joe’s: As of July 15, Trader Joe’s asks all customers to wear a face covering.
- Best Buy: All shoppers must wear a mask, and Best Buy will provide one for customers who don’t have one.
- CVS: All customers will be required to wear a mask to enter a CVS store starting July 20.
- Kroger: All customers must wear a face covering from July 22.
- Kohl's: Beginning July 20, Kohls will require all customers to wear a mask.
- Whole Foods: Since April 30, Whole Foods has made masks mandatory in all stores and the company provides masks for shoppers who don’t have one.
- American Eagle: At both American Eagle and Aerie stores, customers are required to wear masks. The company provides face coverings to customers who don’t have them.
- Verizon: All customers at Veriozon’s retail stores must wear a mask.
- H-E-B: On July 3, H-E-B said all customers must wear a mask.
- Home Depot: All customers must wear a mask in stores starting July 22.
- Lowe’s: Masks will be required at all U.S. stores starting July 20.
- BJ’s Wholesale Club: Effective July 20, all shoppers will be required to wear a mask.
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