Fully vaccinated? These southwestern IL stores say you can (or can’t) ditch your mask
With the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s new mask guidelines for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, some businesses are allowing customers to enter their stores without masks.
On Thursday the CDC announced people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks or physically distance while both indoors and outdoors.
Here’s how local grocery stores and other businesses in the metro-east are reacting to the decision.
Walmart & Sam’s Club: Walmart and Sam’s Club announced Friday fully vaccinated employees and customers will not need to wear a mask while inside all of its locations in the U.S starting Tuesday.
Schnucks: In a statement released Saturday afternoon, Schnucks announced that effective immediately customers who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to wear masks inside the store. However, staff members will still need to wear masks while working.
Target: In a statement, Target said it is continuing to require all coronavirus safety measures in its stores, including masks and social distancing, while the business reviews and evaluates the CDC’s new guidance.
Walgreens: Walgreens is currently reviewing the new guidance from the CDC but is currently still requiring the use of masks inside of its stores.
ALDI: ALDI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The News-Democrat about its mask policy, but according to its website masks are still required at its stores.
Dierbergs: Dierbergs joined several other local grocery chains by announcing it would no longer require vaccinated individuals to wear masks inside their stores.
CVS: In a statement, CVS said its reevaluating mask policies based on the new CDC guidance but currently is still requiring customers and staff wear masks.
QuikTrip: QuikTrip will make required adjustments as state, local and public entities enact new laws and regulations, company Spokeswoman Aisha Jefferson-Smith said in an email.
Casey’s: In an email statement, a Casey’s spokesperson said the convenience store chain was evaluating its mask requirements.
This story was originally published May 15, 2021 at 12:48 PM.