Coronavirus

Which stores still require vaccinated people to wear masks after new CDC guidance?

A sign posted outside Kroger in Lexington, Kentucky alerted customers that masks were required.
A sign posted outside Kroger in Lexington, Kentucky alerted customers that masks were required. mdorsey@herald-leader.com

People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer advised to wear masks in many indoor settings, but what about in stores?

Many national retailers are reviewing their guidelines following Thursday’s announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 “can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing,” with some exceptions including while traveling on planes, buses and trains.

Here’s a look at the some of the retailers still requiring all customers to wear masks.

This story was last updated at at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday.

Kroger

Masks will also still be required at Kroger, one of the United States’ largest grocery store chains, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The Kroger Family of Companies — which includes Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Fry’s and other grocery store chains — is reviewing its current safety practices, according to the newspaper.

T.J. Maxx

TJX Cos. — which includes T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods — will continue to require shoppers to wear masks, a spokesperson for the company told McClatchy News.

“We are monitoring this matter closely, and at this time require associates and customers to wear face coverings while in our U.S. stores,” a spokesperson for the company said.

Walgreens

Because Walgreen’s is a COVID-19 vaccination and testing center, it is keeping its mask policies in place “for the time being,” a spokesperson told McClatchy News.

“The safety of our team members and customers is our top priority and will continue to guide our decision process,” the spokesperson said.

Others

Aldi will still require customers and employees to wear masks in its grocery stores. “We will continue to assess our current safety practices and keep customers informed of any future changes,” the company said in a statement.

Macy’s, Levi Strauss and Gap are also reviewing the CDC’s announcement from Thursday, according to Bloomberg.

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This story was originally published May 14, 2021 at 8:59 AM with the headline "Which stores still require vaccinated people to wear masks after new CDC guidance?."

MS
Mike Stunson
Lexington Herald-Leader
Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. He is a 2011 Western Kentucky University graduate who has previously worked at the Paducah Sun and Madisonville Messenger as a sports reporter and the Lexington Herald-Leader as a breaking news reporter. 
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