Large Retail Chains Are Still Requiring Masks Even As Texas Lifts Restrictions

Target, Starbucks, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, Best Buy, Macy’s, JCPenney, Toyota and GM will keep their mask mandates in place, opting to follow federal guidelines, which still recommend routine mask-wearing and social distancing.

Kroger has a slightly different rationale, and said it will continue requiring masks in stores until all of its frontline grocery workers can get vaccinated.

Grocery chain Albertson’s is aligning with the state’s more lax policies, with the company telling CNN it will “encourage face coverings, but will not mandate” for customers, while employees will still be required to wear masks.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association, a trade association of large retailers, argued the Texas decision might “jeopardize” progress and puts frontline workers in a position of having to enforce storewide policies on their own.