/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/604046bbdf26ef69ddd30b0e/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=3055&cropY1=66&cropY2=1785&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Large Retail Chains Are Still Requiring Masks Even As Texas Lifts Restrictions")
Topline
Even as Texas moves to lift Covid-19 restrictions in the state, including its mask mandate, a number of major retailers are staying firm and still requiring face coverings inside stores.
Target is one of the companies still requiring masks even as Texas and Mississippi ease up on … [+]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Key Facts
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.
Key Background
Texas Gov. Greg Abbot and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Tuesday they will lift all Covid-19 restrictions on businesses along with their state’s mask mandates. The decision was soundly denounced by public health experts, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, along with Democrats, including President Joe Biden and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke. Especially as new Covid-19 variants spread across the country and the U.S. inches toward widespread vaccinations, the “last thing” the country needs is “Neanderthal thinking that ‘in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it,’” Biden told reporters Wednesday.
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