Target, CVS, Walgreens join growing list of retailers in requiring masks

Target Corp., CVS Health and Walgreens are the latest national retailers who will require customers to wear masks in their stores to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The list of major retail companies with face mask mandates includes Walmart, Kroger, Kohl’s, Starbucks, Apple, Costco, Dollar Tree and Best Buy. More regional retailers, including Meijer and Publix, have also come on board. In addition, the National Retail Federation issued a statement encouraging all retailers to adopt a nationwide policy on face coverings.

Starting Aug.1, Target will require customers to wear masks or face coverings in all its stores. The only exception to the new policy  are young children and folks with underlaying medical conditions.  The discounter said the new rule builds on the more than 80% of its stores that already require shoppers to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations. (Target employees are already required to wear masks.)

Target will provide disposable masks at its store entrances to customers who don’t have one. The retailer is adding signage, overhead audio reminders and, similar to Walmart, will station employees at store entrances to remind customers to wear masks.

CVS Health will require all customers to wear face covers starting on Monday, July 20. The retailer emphasized that it is not asking its store employees, who are required to wear masks, “to play the role of enforcer.”  

“What we are asking is that customers help protect themselves and those around them by listening to the experts and heeding the call to wear a face covering,” stated COO Jon Roberts.

Walgreens also will require customers in all its stores nationwide to wear a face covering, starting Monday, July 20. The retailer will alert customers to the policy with signage on exterior doors and reminders via the stores’ intercom systems.

“We know that face covers can play a vital role in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Kevin Ban, Walgreens chief medical officer. “As cases continue to rise in many parts of the country, it’s critical we, as businesses and members of the community, do everything we can to support recommendations of health officials, both locally and nationally.”