Target Will Require Customers To Wear Masks

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Target will join the growing list of major retailers in the United States that require customers to wear masks to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Minneapolis-based corporation confirmed to Patch Thursday it will begin enforcing its mask policy Aug. 1.

Other retailers that recently announced mask requirements include CVS, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Kohl's. Menards and Costco already have mask mandates in place.

Target stores will provide disposable masks at store entrances to customers who don't have their own. Young children and people with underlying medical conditions will be exempt from the new policy.

"This builds on the more than 80% of our stores that already require guests to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations," Target said in a statement to Patch. "Given the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the role masks play in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, our store team members also already wear masks when they come to work, which we provide for them."

Target says it will also encourage guests use its "no-contact" fulfillment options including Drive Up, Target.com and Shipt.