Walmart and Target are among the first national retailers in the Finger Lakes to join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strongly encouraging shoppers to adhere to mask requests where transmission of COVID-19 is ‘substantial’.
Walmart announced late last week that it will urge vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans to resume wearing face coverings in public indoor settings where there is significant spread of COVID.
Signs will be posted at locations reminding customers and associates to adhere to the CDC guidelines.
“We will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission,” Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris and Health & Wellness Executive Vice President Dr. Cheryl Pegus said in a July 30 memo to U.S. employees. “In these counties and where there are state or local mask mandates, associates will be required to wear masks inside our facilities.”
Target reported Monday that it also will follow the CDC’s latest recommendations on masks.
“The health and safety of our guests and team members have been Target’s top priority throughout the pandemic. Target will continue to recommend face coverings for unvaccinated team members and guests at all stores across the country,” Target said in a statement. “Effective Tuesday, based on the CDC’s updated guidance, we’ll require face coverings for our team members and strongly recommend face coverings for all guests in areas with substantial or high risk of transmission, as defined by the CDC. We’ll follow all local mandates, as we have throughout the pandemic, and continue to monitor guidance from the CDC closely. We will also maintain all of our health and safety protocols that include increased cleaning measures and social distancing.”
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