Walmart, Sam's Club, Best Buy To Require Shoppers To Wear Masks

VERNON HILLS, IL — A growing number of retail chains have announced new nationwide policies that require all shoppers to wear masks in stores, even in places where local authorities have not imposed a mask mandate.

Costco has required masks since May and Starbucks representatives announced the rule last week. Best Buy officials said the company's policy takes effect Wednesday, suggesting anyone who has a problem with wearing a mask should shop online for delivery or pickup. And on Wednesday, Walmart announced its more than 5,000 U.S. stores and Sam's Club locations would make face covering mandatory for patrons starting Monday.

Vernon Hills has Walmart, Best Buy and Sam's Club stores within the village. Nearby, there is also a Walmart in Waukegan and a Walmart, Sam's Club and Best Buy located in Gurnee.

In its statement, Walmart representatives said that 65 percent of its stores currently are in areas where there is already some form of government mandate to wear masks. Company officials said Sam’s Club will provide complimentary masks to customers who don’t have one.

Details of the new Walmart policy are still being ironed out. The company did not say what would happen if a patron refused to wear a mask, the New York Times, which has resulted in sometimes violent confrontations at other businesses.

In addition to posting signage at the front of stores, Walmart has created a new role of "health ambassador," who will be stationed near the entrance to remind those without a mask of the new requirements.

Here are the Walmart, Sam’s Club and Best Buy locations in the Vernon Hills area:

• Best Buy, 701 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
• Best Buy, 6526 Grand Ave., Gurnee
• Sam's Club, 335 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
• Sam's Club, 6570 Grant Ave., Gurnee
• Walmart, 3900 Fountain Square Place, Waukegan
• Walmart, 6590 Grand Ave., Gurnee