July 16, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — Target and CVS are joining a growing list of retailers that will require customers to wear masks in their stores.
Target said in a statement it would start requiring masks or face coverings starting Aug. 1 in all stores. “This builds on the more than 80% of our stores that already require guests to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations,” the statement said.
Target said it would provide disposable masks at entrances to customers who don’t have one.
CVS tweeted Thursday: “We’re joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face covering.” The policy goes into effect Monday.
The announcement came a day after Walmart and Sam’s Club said that masks would be mandatory in all their stores, also beginning Monday.
A joint news release from the two stores said: “From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus and priority has been and continues to be on the health and safety of our associates, members and customers.
“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. Currently about 65 percent of our more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings. To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20.”
Starbucks, Kohl’s, BestBuy and Kroger have announced also similar policies this week.