In an about-face, Harris Teeter says it will require masks for all, enforce NC mandate

Harris Teeter on Thursday updated its COVID-19 response policy, requiring all customers in all of its store locations to wear masks, face shields or face coverings.

Effective Wednesday, all shoppers will be required to wear a mask, the company said on its website. If a customer is unable to wear a mask or covering, the company said online shopping and grocery delivery is available.

“We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country,” the update states.

The company said customers who can not wear masks for medical or other reasons should “consider an alternative option like a face shield or facial covering.”

The Matthews-based grocer is owned by Kroger, which said on Wednesday on Twitter it would require customers nationwide to wear masks because of the increased cases across the country.

A statewide mask requirement in most public settings started June 26 in North Carolina. But then, Harris Teeter said no customer would be barred from entry, even if they did not wear mask.

Harris Teeter has required workers to wear face coverings since April 21, and has encouraged customers to wear them.

Enforcing the face-covering rule in North Carolina largely falls on businesses. Masks are required indoors and outdoors in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Businesses can be cited for failing to enforce the requirement.

Harris Teeter has about 30,000 employees and more than 230 stores, with 18 locations in Charlotte.

More mask mandates

Publix also announced Thursday it will require customers to wear face coverings effective Tuesday.

“We will have signs, announcements and offer customers without a facial covering one to use while shopping,” spokeswoman Maria Brous told the Observer Thursday. “For customers who prefer not to wear a facial covering, we recommend using Publix Delivery powered by Instacart or curbside pickup where available.”

Brous did not say if customers without face coverings would be denied entry to stores.

The Florida-based company also urges people to shop alone to help with social distancing.

Publix stores have reopened hot and cold bars for lunch and dinner as full-service, with workers helping customers, instead of self-serve, Brous said.

Several national retailers are also beginning to require customers to wear face coverings, including Starbucks, Best Buy and Target. CVS, Kohl’s, Walgreens, Walmart and Sam’s Club will begin requiring customers to wear face coverings on Monday.

Complying in NC

Harris Teeter last month said it was complying with the state mandate, even if customers were not turned away. Other grocery stores said the same.

Food Lion spokesman Matt Harakal said the grocer is in compliance with what retailers and restaurants are required to do to be compliant with North Carolina’s face-covering mandate, citing the questions and answers listed on the state government website. The site, last updated June 30, said retailers must post signs at the entrance, which “is deemed to be in compliance with the enforcement of face-covering requirements.”

The Salisbury-based grocer is “asking customers to comply with the recent executive order while shopping in stores,” Harakal said when the order went into effect.

He said the almost 500 North Carolina stores would post signs about the mask requirement and make announcements.

“We will also respect the needs of our customers who are exempt from the order’s requirements,” he said.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 5:20 PM with the headline "In an about-face, Harris Teeter says it will require masks for all, enforce NC mandate."