Now that our Wuhan coronavirus overlords have accepted the science that vaccinated individuals are safe to resume maskless life and have freed us from the requirement of face coverings, companies are announcing whether they too will be following recent CDC guidance that fully vaccinated Americans are protected without face coverings or social distancing. This from townhall.com.
UPDATE: If you are fully vaccinated against #COVID19, you can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, incl. local business and workplace guidance. More: https://t.co/FJMon7WlFO
— CDC (@CDCgov) May 13, 2021
Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club announced “Fully vaccinated associates will not need to wear a mask at work starting Tuesday, May 18” and “vaccinated customers and members are welcome to shop without a mask, and we will continue to request that non-vaccinated customers and members wear face coverings in our stores and clubs.”
Trader Joes noted they “encourage customers to follow the guidance of health officials, including, as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping.”
Target released a statement citing “the CDC’s updated guidance last week,” saying “Target will no longer require fully vaccinated guests and team members to wear face coverings in our stores, except where it’s required by local ordinances.”
CVS told shoppers “effective May 17 customers who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings inside of our stores, unless it is mandated by state or local regulations.”
BJ’s announced their decision “based on recent guidance from the CDC” that “BJ’s Wholesale Club will no longer require fully vaccinated team members and members to wear face coverings, unless required by local or state regulations.”
Starbucks invoked the CDC’s latest guidance that “fully vaccinated people can resume indoor activities without wearing a mask, except where required by local regulations or law,” and, as a result, “facial coverings will be optional forvaccinated customers beginning Monday, May 17, unless local regulations require them by law.”
Costco informed its members that in “locations where the state or local jurisdiction does not have a mask mandate, we will allow members and guests who are fully vaccinated to enter Costco without a face mask or face shield. We will not require proof of vaccination, but we ask for members’ responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy,” but “face coverings will still be required in healthcare settings, including Pharmacy, Optical, Hearing Aid.”
Publix updated its COVID policy to “no longer require fully vaccinated associates or customers to wear face coverings, unless required by a state or local order or ordinance, beginning May 15.”
