Shea Simmons
Some grocery chains, like Trader Joe’s and Costco, have required that customers wear face coverings in their stores for weeks now. Beginning July 20, Walmart will join those ranks, and you’ll be required to wear a mask if you shop there.
On July 15, Walmart announced that both its grocery stores and bulk-buying chain, Sam’s Club, will require customers to wear face masks. The move comes after several states have mandated masks.
Dacona Smith, the chief operating officer of Walmart U.S., and Lance de la Rosa, the chief operating officer of Sam’s Club, explained the decision:
“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.”
The chosen date gives stores some time to inform customers, put up additional signage, and train staff on new procedures.
To enforce the policy, stores will have “health ambassadors” at the doors to assist customers who need a mask and prevent those without one from entering. To more easily enforce the policy, only one entrance will be open at all stores.
Walmart is one of the first major grocery chains to require masks in its stores, and just hours after its announcement, Kroger followed with a start date of July 22.
Need some masks for your shopping trips? Here are 20 great places to buy reusable masks online.
