NRF urges vaccinations

Retailers are revisiting the issue of whether or not to issue mask mandates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday recommended that fully vaccinated people again wear masks indoors in COVID-19 hot spots due to the spreading Delta variant. The recommendation came about two months after the agency said fully vaccinated people did not have to wear masks. 

In a statement, the National Retail Federation said that “it is truly unfortunate that mask recommendations have returned when the surest known way to reduce the threat of the virus is widespread vaccination.”

“The CDC’s latest guidance underscores the urgency for more Americans to become fully vaccinated so we can all emerge from this pandemic,” the NRF stated.

The group noted that retailers will “continue to follow the guidance of the CDC and other public health experts” to protect employees and their families and customers. 

Apple, as of July 29, is once again requiring that all its employees and customers wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Other retailers are reported to be reviewing the revised CDC guidelines.

“We want every business to remain open, we want to keep people employed, and we want to ensure that consumers have access to the goods and services they expect and need,” the NRF stated.