Jacob Ogles
The state of Florida remains reluctant to require masks in public (though plenty of local jurisdictions took the step). Instead, major national corporations are putting their own rules in place.
Whether you want to know where you can shop with the comfort of safety measures in place or whether you want to go someplace you can still yell “Freedom!” without a face covering, Florida Politics offers this running list of major retailers requiring customers wear masks.
Aldi
The grocery chain as of July 27 requires masks for customers inside all locations. Customers unable to wear masks are encouraging to use delivery service online.
Apple Store
The store since reopening locations beginning May 17 has required faces for all customers and employees.
AT&T
All employees, customers and visitors to retail stores are required to wear face coverings as of July. Masks will be provided as needed.
Bed, Bath and Beyond
Masks or face coverings must be worn by all customers and associates in all locations until further notice.
Best Buy
The store since reopening has been meticulous about customer limits. Beginning on July 15, the company adopted an official policy all customers must wear a mask. Small children face no requirement and the store will provide masks for those who do not carry their own.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
Effective July 20, all members and employees at locations will be required to wear masks or face coverings.
Chipotle
The restaurant chain beginning on July 24 will require all guests coming into the stores to wear masks while there, CNN reports.
Circle K
As of July 20, all customers, associates and visitors in Circle K locations are required to wear face coverings. The store sells masks for those who do not supply their own.
Costco
Since reopening on May 4, all Costco guests have been required to wear masks that cover the mouth and nose. The only exceptions are those with a medical condition and children under age 2. ”This is not simply a matter of personal choice; a face covering protects not just the wearer, but others too,” the Costco website explains.
CVS
The drugstore chain starting on July 20 will require all customers to wear face coverings inside the stores. Employees have been required to do so since the stores reopened their interiors to customers.
Dollar Tree/Dollar General
The umbrella company for both chains announced on July 8 it is requiring all associates to wear masks and requesting customers do the same. The company for a short period required masks for customers, USA Today reports, but now just requests they do so.
Gap (Old Navy, Banana Republic, others)
Beginning on Aug. 1, all stores in the Gap family of stores will require customers to wear face coverings inside, USA Today reports. Small children and those with preventative medical conditions are exempt. That includes Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix and Janie and Jack.
Home Depot
AS of July 22, all Home Depot customers are required to wear masks or face coverings while in the stores. The rule does not apply to small children.
J.C. Penney
All customers must wear face masks while shopping in stores as of July 24.a
Kohl’s
Beginning on July 20, masks will be required to enter all locations. The store made the announcement on July 15, at which point some 70% of Kohl’s locations already had the requirement in place thanks to local ordinances.
Kroger
The grocery chain beginning on July 22 will require customers in all locations to begin wearing masks, the company announced on Twitter. All associates in the stores are already required to do so. Young children and those with preventive medical conditions are exempt.
Lowe’s
Beginning on July 20, all Lowe’s locations required customers to wear masks or face coverings. Disposable masks will be provided to customers who do not bring their own.
McDonald’s
The company announced that starting Aug. 1, all locations nationwide will require masks for anybody walking inside the restaurants, CNN reports. Most dining rooms remain closed, with food being served take-out. Those who do not wish to wear masks may use the drive-through.
Office Depot/Office Max
Effective July 20, ODP Corporation requires all customers visiting the company’s Office Deport or Office Max locations to wear face coverings.
Olive Garden
All servers are required to wear masks at all times. Guests are required to wear masks when not seated at their table.
Panera Bread
Beginning July 15, guests in all cafes are required to wear masks while inside, except while eating and drinking.
PetSmart
As of July 22, all customers and associates inside PetSmart locations must wear face coverings at all times.
Publix
The Lakeland-based grocer chain announced that beginning July 21, all customers will be required to where face coverings while shopping in stores. The policy will not apply to young children. “We believe requiring face coverings in our stores is another way we can do our part to help protect our communities,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous.
Sam’s Club
All members of Sam’s club will be required to wear masks while shopping at stores nationwide beginning July 20. Associates will remind shoppers entering the store of the policy and provide complimentary masks. The store will also sell non-disposable masks.
Shake Shack
The restaurant chain as of July 30 requires guests to wear masks at all time except when eating or drinking.
Staples
The office supply company as of July 24 requires all customers to wear masks inside of stores.
Starbucks
While most restaurants don’t have mask policies, the coffeehouse chain starting July 15 requires masks for those inside. Those who do not want masks are free to use curbside and drive-through options.
Target
The big box retailer beginning on Aug. 1 began requiring all guests to wear masks. The requirement does not apply to children. A statement released July 16 indicated 80% of Target locations already face local regulations requiring face coverings. For the moment, disposable masks will be provided to guests who do not bring their own.
Trader Joe’s
The specialty grocery now requires all customers inside stores to wear face coverings. The rule does not apply to small children or to those with prohibitive medical conditions.
Verizon
Adding a new dimension to the question “Can you hear me now?” Verizon will require visitors to all retail locations to wear cloth face coverings over their mouth and nose.
Walgreens
The convenience store chain as of July 16 requires customers to wear face covers in all stores.
Walmart
The nation’s largest big box retailer beginning on July 20 will require all shoppers to wear masks at locations nationwide. When the company announced its policy on July 15, about 65% of all Walmart locations already faced a local or state mandate to require masks in stores. “We know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities,” a statement reads.
Winn Dixie
A day after the Florida Times-Union reported the grocery store chain would be an outlier in refusing to consider a mask requirement over potential customer friction, the store changed course and said it will begin requiring masks starting July 27.
Whole Foods Market
Effective on July 20, the company requires face masks for all customers while they are shopping. For those who do not bring masks, stores will provide disposable face coverings.
26 comments
jon
July 17, 2020 at 5:52 pm
Idiot stores! I went into CVS the other day…. They told me to put a mask on. I said no, and I don’t use a condom either. My body my choice!
Patti
July 17, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Exactly….Idk if it will help but Winn Dixie isn’t forcing the muzzle….
Clare
July 20, 2020 at 12:03 am
You can do WHATEVER you want,AS LONG AS THE CONSEQUENCES ONLY EFFECT YOU AND YOU ALONE.If you don’t want to live in a society than buy your own Island and live by yourself,it’s your choice. If you choose to live in a society then follow the rules , Plain and Simple
jon
July 20, 2020 at 1:17 pm
You ever heard of the Bill of Rights? How bout the constitution? You can be sheep.. I will pass!
Clare
July 20, 2020 at 6:34 pm
this is about the right not to be infected
jon
July 21, 2020 at 1:12 pm
Then stay home!
Trump Supporter - No need for muzzles
July 21, 2020 at 2:01 pm
If you wear your mask you reduce your risk of infection.. IF masks are as effective as they claim against this virus. Why don’t you put your faith in God instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing. Wear your mask and you will be ok according to you. Don’t participate in a sick political agenda of the Dems… Use your head and wake up….it is an evil agenda based on fear of the American people and pushing us into socialism….think about it…next…cashless society…next…pedophiles gaining rights under REBRANDING their sick sadistic obsessions being called “minor-attracted persons”….PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT GOVT IS DOING….WAKE THE FUCK UP. MUZZLING US IS PART OF CONTROL NOT A SAFTEY PRECAUTION….RESEARCH IT AND LISTEN TO PEOPLE EXPOSING TRUTHS ABOUT IT ALL.
Patti
July 20, 2020 at 8:41 pm
The idiots who want to be muzzled up need to be the ones to move to an isolated island so they can all wear masks and be lemmings while others can enjoy their freedom because this is a hoax. So chill out and wait until the truth starts to surface about the pandemic being a political war between the Dems who want socialism and communism and the Republicans who actually cherish our freedoms and aren’t stupid…so keep drinking the kool-aid dumbass.
Barbara
July 20, 2020 at 8:45 am
Exactly. Same thing on abortions.!
Michael Keeys
July 25, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Yep, a real man you are! Selfish and ignorant.
S.B. Anthony
July 20, 2020 at 7:54 am
Shame on Winn Dixie for putting its employees and customers at risk. Just shameful. Time to boycott Winn Dixie and let it, rather than its employees and smart customers, die. Kudos to the responsible corporations for doing the right thing.
jon
July 20, 2020 at 1:26 pm
You ever hear of “The Hong Kong Flu”? It killed over a million people world wide, some estimates have it at up too 6 million. It occured in 1969. You know what else happen in 1969? Well, some 400,000 Americans converge in a little NY town for a week of music… It was called Woodstock! No masks! No social distancing! No shutdown!
This none pandemic is being used as a weapon by the democrats to weaken Trump’s chance at re-election in November! The numbers of positive testing is the only number the fake news liberal media will repeat everyday, every hour! The mortality numbers are squelched and a lot of the numbers are fabricated. Just yesterday in San Antonio Tx, they had to remove 3800 from the dead count! Fake news, created fake drama!
Concerned
July 20, 2020 at 7:28 pm
You know, don’t you, that it isn’t about the deaths. It is about the destroyed health of millions. After COVID, I personally was not able to digest a meal for more than 90 days. This virus is awful.
I wish you good health.
Patti
July 20, 2020 at 8:34 pm
Thank you for seeing the truth..
Tjb
July 22, 2020 at 5:46 pm
Jon, it looks like you took too much acid at Woodstock. I am sorry that it caused extensive brain damages. My thoughts and prays are with you.
jon
July 28, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Tjb, Sorry your brain did not survive your birth.
jill werschin
July 25, 2020 at 10:35 am
Trader Joe’s…..all employees and managers are aggressive and have no problem ganging up on lone senior citizen shoppers during senior hour. Will let you in the door, but then watch out. Will refuse to sell you anything….all stand around with masks and zombie eyes. This happened to me yesterday. First, a creepy rent a cop was called, and then the Gainesville FL Police. Yes, an officer did show up and cite “trespassing on private property” and threatened with arrest if I did not leave the premises. It was the most awful situation I have ever been in. So, all I can say is Beware and you’ve been warned. Absolutely no response from corporate or the CEO of this incident.
John
July 26, 2020 at 4:33 am
Thanks for your story about white privilege, Karen.
jon
July 28, 2020 at 12:15 pm
John, people like you are beyond help…. sheep
T. Duncan
July 25, 2020 at 4:25 pm
To get back to the main point of the article. Mask requirements are worthless if the stores don’t enforce. Costco does a great job but most others don’t follow through. I don’t patronize stores that use the mask requirement as a marketing ploy.
BFrank
July 25, 2020 at 9:42 pm
What was the point of including “No shirt” in the title of this article? None of the stores listed have included that in their mask requirement policy. Lack of a shirt has nothing to do with preventing the spread of this virus, so by adding that in the title of this article, the author is implying that shirts and masks are of equal importance to help prevent the spread of this virus, and that stores are also including that as well. Nothing could be further from the truth.
If a business has a dress code that requires that their customers always wear a shirt, they have a right to make that decision. But for somebody to conflate, even by implication, mask requirements and shirt requirements (or any other arbitrary dress code) as being necessary to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus, they are spreading false information.
John
July 26, 2020 at 4:45 am
Frank, let me be frank with you: you HAVE to be dumb as hell to have said all this without a second thought. If this comment were posted anywhere else then I could afford it the possible benefit of irony.
I just don’t think you are smart enough for that, and probably lived in a bubble all your life, so something as common as “no shirt … no service” eludes your mental prowess. The tribe of headline-only readers lost this battle today.
BFrank
July 26, 2020 at 9:19 am
John, of course I’ve heard of the term “no shirt … no service.” It’s a phrase for a sign that was created in the late 1960s/early 1970s as a political response to keep out war-protesting hippies. That phrase evolved from similar phrases common in some states prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1965 reading “no colored,” or some parts of the West reading “no Mexicans.”
The vast majority of businesses nowadays realize those signs are nothing more than rude, unwelcoming holdovers from the past with racial and political overtones that should not be on storefronts. They’re only very rarely seen nowadays. If a business has a dress code at all (most don’t), it may post something a little less rude and “in your face.”
The point here is not that those rude signs don’t exist, but that they have NOTHING to do with the need or requirement to wear a mask to prevent the spread of this virus. Putting the two together (shirts, masks) not only trivializes the very important reason we should wear masks, but implies that shirts will help prevent the spread the same as masks. And neither the CDC, the WHO, nor any other no medical expert or authority has ever made such an assertion.
Alan Adler
July 26, 2020 at 10:58 am
I’ve been going to bars and restaurants and stores shirtless for a long time, now I wear a mask but remain shirtless.
I must be dumb as hell too, I guess, because I’m clueless as to what your beef with B Frank’s comment is.
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