Retailers started announcing changes to face mask policies for fully vaccinated customers a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new masking guidelines, USA Today reports.
Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco and Publix were the first to confirm updates to mask requirements, leading the way for mask-free shopping except where required by state or local mandate. In some cases, vaccinated store employees can also go to work without a mask.
Many retailers, including Apple, Target, CVS and Walgreens, say they are still evaluating the CDC guidance but say they could update policies.
Starbucks will update its policy starting Monday and makes masks “optional for vaccinated customers beginning Monday, May 17, unless local regulations require them by law.”
So far, businesses have said proof of the vaccine won’t need to be shown and will be on the honor system.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances.
Hopefully this will cause more to get vaccinated
Please note that in NYC we still have masking mandates, as before, although in time that may change. It is still the law here. Also, this is only for fully vaccinated people, it is not a free lunch for people who are NOT fully vaccinated to just take off their masks. People who are not fully vaccinated still have to wear masks in all these stores, as well as elsewhere. And none of this applies to highly vulnerable people, such as people with health issues, immunocompromised, elderly and have not been fully vaccinated (i.e. two jabs of the vaccine) all… Read more »