As the new variant is becoming more widespread, businesses are trying to figure out how to reopen while continuing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Keep in mind that many businesses are complying with the requirements and recommendations of their local government, so it’s possible that the policy at national chains could vary by state or even county.
Most stores are following CDC guidelines, so while many stores are requiring employees wear face masks, customers aren’t required to wear one to get into retailers if they are vaccinated. Be sure to call the store before going in as policies can differ from location to location.
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The following grocery stores, airlines, and other retailers are now requiring their customers to wear masks:
Stores & Businesses Requiring Face Masks for Everyone
- Apple
- Costco
- CVS
- Home Depot
- Kroger
- Lowe’s
- Publix
- Target
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Whole Foods Market
Stores & Businesses Requiring Face Masks for Unvaccinated
- Albertsons
- ALDI
- AMC Theaters
- American Eagle
- Apple
- AT&T
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Best Buy
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Circle K
- Costco
- CVS
- Dollar Tree
- Family Dollar
- Gap
- H-E-B
- Home Depot
- JCPenney
- Kohl’s
- Kroger
- Lowe’s
- Menards
- Natural Grocers
- Office Depot
- OfficeMax
- Petco
- PetSmart
- Planet Fitness
- Pottery Barn
- Pottery Barn Kids
- Publix
- Ralphs
- Rite Aid
- Sam’s Club
- Schnuck Markets
- Smart & Final
- Staples
- The Fresh Market
- Trader Joe’s
- Target
- Verizon
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- West Elm
- Whole Foods Market
- Williams Sonoma
- Winn-Dixie
Restaurants Requiring Face Masks for Everyone
- McDonald’s
- Noodle & Co.
- Shake Shack
Airlines and Ride Services Requiring Face Masks for Everyone
Air Canada: Passengers of Air Canada flights are required to wear face coverings during the duration of their flight.
Alaska Airlines: Passengers of any Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air flight are expected to bring and wear their own mask while onboard. If a customer doesn’t have their own facial covering, the airline can provide one.
American Airlines: Starting May 11, passengers must cover their mouth and nose “while on board the aircraft.”
Delta Airlines: Passengers must wear face masks throughout their travel day, including at check-in, inside Delta Sky Clubs, in boarding gate areas and jet bridges, and throughout the duration of the flight (except during meal service).
JetBlue Airlines: Starting May 4, passengers must cover their nose from the time they check in until they exit the airplane.
Southwest Airlines: All passengers on a Southwest flight need to wear a face covering or mask over their nose and mouth. They’ll supply one to travelers who don’t have their own.
Spirit Airlines: Spirit is requiring face masks for all boarded passengers, except children under two years old and children “who cannot maintain a face covering.”
United Airlines: All passengers will be required to wear face coverings as of May 4, and United will provide those masks to passengers who don’t have them.
Uber: Requires all riders in the U.S. to wear face masks, which they confirm via the app before sending a driver to pick you up. In addition to confirming riders are wearing facial coverings, Uber also requires riders to sit in the backseat. The company is currently enforcing its policy that drivers wear masks by mandating that they take and submit a selfie through the app to prove it before they can start picking up passengers. For more info, read the CDC guidelines for ride share and taxi companies.
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