Walmart will now require shoppers to wear face masks in stores. The change will begin next week.
“As the number of confirmed cases has spiked in communities across the country recently, so too have the number and types of face covering mandates being implemented,” Walmart said in a release.
This may not seem new. Walmart said 65% of its stores are in areas where local governments have required face coverings.
“To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols,” the company said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear masks as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Experts have suggested masks help people from transmitting the virus to others and stops the virus from infecting you, too.
Walmart joins other national retailers in requiring face masks. Starbucks said last week it would require facial coverings for its 9,000 stores in the U.S., according to CNN.
Best Buy announced it would require guests to wear masks, too.
Costco announced it would require guests to wear masks back in April, as I wrote about for Deseret.com. The company said it would be the policy for the foreseeable future.
“The use of a mask or face covering should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing. Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises.”