Update: Publix joins Kroger and Walmart in requiring all customers to wear masks

Update

Beginning July 21, Publix is joining Walmart and Kroger in requiring customers to use face coverings over their noses and mouths while inside any of its stores. .

Publix put out the following statement Thursday explaining the move.

“The CDC also recommends we keep our distance to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Publix has put into place new measures to help our customers maintain social distancing with other customers and our associates. Our aisles are now one-way to reduce your chances of passing another shopper. We’ve marked off 6-foot increments at checkout. And finally, our managers have discretion to limit the number of shoppers in the store at one time. There is one more thing you can do to help: Please shop alone, if you can. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding to help us all achieve the important goal of social distancing.”

Update

On the heels of Walmart announcing that, starting Monday, all customers will be required to wear masks, Kroger announced in a statement it would be doing the same. The mandate at Kroger stores will begin next Wednesday.

“We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country,” Kroger announced in a statement. It will, however, make exceptions for customers with medical reasons as well as small children.

Initial story

Effective Monday, July 20, Walmart will require customers at all of its 5,000 plus US stores nationwide to wear masks. making it the largest retailer to mandate facial coverings as coronavirus cases continue to rise. This comes on the heels of other companies such as Starbucks and Best Buy that made similar announcements recently in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases. Walmart made the announcement on its blog on Wednesday. More than 65% of Walmart’s stores, including its Sam’s Club locations, are located in areas where there is a government mandate on face coverings. Georgia does not have a mandate, but strongly urges people to wear face coverings. However, businesses can mandate customers to wear one if they choose to shop at their place of business. Walmart employees are already mandated to wear masks. Going forward, all shoppers will have to join them, including those shopping at Walmarts across Georgia.

“To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20,” Dacona Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Walmart U.S., and Lance de la Rosa, Chief Operating Officer of Sam’s Club announced in the post. “This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols.”

They announced that while Walmart is not the first business to require face coverings, they acknowledged that this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in the facilities.

Walmart will be posting signage in the front of the stores, will have a single entrance and will have “health ambassadors” at the front of the store near the entrance to remind those without a mask of the new requirements. These ambassadors will be wearing black polo shirts. The same procedures will take place at Sams Club locations.

Click or tap on this link to read the full announcement.