New PA Mask Rules: You Still Have To Wear Them In These Stores

UPDATE: Target, Starbucks, and Walmart are among several stores across the state to announce loosening of masking restrictions. MORE HERE.

Original story:

PENNSYLVANIA — Numerous stores across Pennsylvania will, for now, maintain their masking policy after the latest easing of restrictions from the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

As of Thursday, the updated guidance means that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in most public settings. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that they would follow the CDC's lead. However, there is no legal requirement for private businesses to change their guidelines. And many larger businesses do not appear eager to follow suit.

RELATED: New Mask Rules In Effect In PA

Several of the nation's largest chains, including Walmart and Target, are among those keeping the mask policy in their stores across the country and in Pennsylvania.

"Target will continue to require all of our coronavirus safety measures in all stores, including masks and social distancing, while we review guidance from the CDC and evaluate the guidance we offer our team and guests," the company said in a statement posted on their website.

"The Giant Company is aware of the new mask guidance for fully vaccinated people issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," Ashley Flower, the manager of public relations for Giant, said in an email. "We are currently reviewing this guidance as we determine next steps. Our current mask policy remains in effect."

"We are reviewing the updated CDC guidance and having internal conversations as we await further direction at the state and local levels," a spokesperson for Wegmans told Patch.

Even though the Pennsylvania Department of Health's stance is clear, these chains operate in many different states and some states and local jurisdictions have different levels of restrictions. Groups like the Retail Industry Leaders Association say that consistency is needed from federal and local authorities alike.

“Today’s CDC announcement on masks creates ambiguity for retailers because it fails to fully align with state and local orders," Lisa LaBruno, vice president with the Association, said in a statement. "Retailers are reviewing the latest CDC guidance to determine if any changes should be made to their current safety protocols. While these reviews are ongoing, it is critical for customers to remember the CDC announcement is guidance and that many state and local jurisdictions still have mask mandates in place that retailers must follow."

Other chain stores with numerous Pennsylvania locations like Macy's, Starbucks, Home Depot, and Walgreens all say something similar: they're reviewing the latest guidance, but things are, for now, the same.

According to the CDC guidance updated Thursday, fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks or social distancing except for when on buses, trains, planes and other forms of public transport, or while in hospitals, doctors' offices and other health care settings.

Meanwhile, all Pennsylvania coronavirus mitigation orders except the mask mandate will be lifted on Memorial Day.

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