Here’s how changes in Illinois’ mask mandate will affect you at grocery, retail stores
Retail and grocery stores in the metro-east have been asking customers to follow whatever mask mandate had been put in place by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that the state is lifting mask mandates for stores and certain other indoor settings after Feb. 28. These businesses can still require masks, if they choose.
The BND contacted stores for their reaction to Pritzker’s latest policy.
Here are their responses:
Dierbergs
Dierbergs “will continue to be adhering to the mandates and public orders put in place by local officials. As those are modified, we will absolutely re-evaluate our approach,” spokesperson Jamie Collins said in a statement.
Schnucks
“Any stores that are located in areas requiring indoor face masks have signage that is aligned with each respective mandate and communicates that face coverings are required for all customers, teammates and vendors of those stores - regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status per the order of regulatory authorities,” Schnucks said in a statement.
“Schnucks continues to strongly encourage customers to wear face coverings at all stores while shopping and offers complimentary face masks.”
The company noted that in accordance with recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, for places in substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, all Schnucks employees and vendors are required to wear a face covering in stores regardless of their vaccination status.
The latest CDC map for high transmission areas shows most of the country, including the metro-east, falls in this category.
Target
“Based on the CDC’s latest guidance, we require face coverings for our team members and strongly recommend face coverings for all guests in areas with substantial or high risk of transmission, as defined by the CDC. We’ll follow all local mandates, as we have throughout the pandemic, and continue to monitor guidance from the CDC closely,” Target said in a statement.
CVS
“Our employees are required to wear a face mask or covering in all CVS Health worksites, regardless of location or vaccination status, until further notice. We also encourage all customers, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a face mask or covering while in any of our stores. We will continue to comply with local and state mandates, and will be monitoring the CDC’s tracking of COVID-19 transmission in order to update our mask policy as warranted,” CVS said in a statement.
Walmart
A Walmart representative could not be reached for comment. This is what the company has posted on its website:
“Per CDC Guidance, all Walmart and Sam’s Club associates working in an area of substantial or high transmission are required to wear a mask or face covering while working indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
State managers “will also post signage at our stores and clubs to remind customers and members about the CDC’s revised guidance and strongly encourage them to wear masks or face coverings.”
Home Depot
A Home Depot representative couldn’t be reached for comment. This is what the company has posted on its website:
“Customers are asked to wear masks in stores and we will continue to offer masks to those who don’t have one. Masks are required for all associates, contractors and vendors to be worn indoors at all U.S. Home Depot stores, distribution centers, office locations and customer homes or businesses, regardless of vaccination status.”
Best Buy
A Best Buy representative couldn’t be reached for comment. This is what the company has posted on its website:
Customers and employees are required to follow mask mandates issued by state or local officials.
Here’s a roundup of what other retailers state on their websites:
Walgreens
“Fully vaccinated customers no longer need to wear face coverings inside of our stores, unless state or local regulations require them. Customers who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue wearing face covers.”
Aldi
“Face coverings are required for employees, and strongly encouraged for customers, except where required by state or local jurisdictions to be mandated. We require customers and employees to continue all appropriate safety precautions to protect themselves and others.”
Lowe’s
“Lowe’s associates are required to wear masks indoors at all U.S. locations and while working in a customer’s home or business – regardless of vaccination status. Lowe’s will continue to abide by all state and local mask mandates. Stores will have signs encouraging customers to wear masks, and free masks will continue to be available for customers who request them.”
Macy’s
“Facial coverings are recommended but not required for vaccinated customers in our store locations, except where state or local mandates require them.”
Dollar General
“In areas where local, county and/or state law mandates mask use, employees and customers are required to wear masks.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 2:25 PM.
