As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow in the U.S., so does the number of retailers that require shoppers to wear a face covering.
Some retailers use soft language, saying they “ask” or “encourage” you to wear a face covering to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But more are taking a harder line.
In fact, the nation’s largest retailer is among the latest to require shoppers to wear face coverings in all of its stores.
Stores that require you to wear a mask include:
1. Aerie
When shopping at Aerie stores, you must wear a mask or facial covering. If you forget to bring a face mask, the store will provide you with one.
2. Aldi
Starting July 27, all shoppers must wear a face covering at all Aldi stores.
3. American Eagle
This clothing chain, owned by the same parent company as Aerie, is following the same policy.
4. Apple
As with Aerie and AE, you must wear a face covering over your mouth and nose at Apple stores — and if you forget to bring it, Apple will provide you with one.
5. AT&T
AT&T stores are requiring customers and visitors to wear masks, but also will provide masks to people who forget to bring one.
6. Best Buy
As of July 15, Best Buy requires shoppers to wear a face covering in its stores, except for small children and people who are unable to wear a face covering for health reasons. If you forget to bring a mask, Best Buy will provide one to you.
7. BJ’s Wholesale Club
This warehouse club started requiring everyone to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth in stores on July 20, with the exception of children under the age of 2.
8. Costco
You must wear a face covering over your mouth and nose at all times in the warehouse store — a requirement that Costco put in place about two months ago now. Children under the age of 2 and those unable to wear a face covering for medical reasons are exempt.
9. CVS
This drugstore chain started requiring customers to wear masks in all stores on July 20.
10. H-E-B
Grab your mask before shopping at this grocer: Unless you are a child or have a health condition, you must wear a mask when shopping at H-E-B.
11. Kohl’s
This department store chain started requiring shoppers to wear face coverings on July 20.
12. Kroger
Kroger will start requiring all customers to wear facial coverings on July 22. Small children are exempt, and customers who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons are encouraged to use an alternative like a face shield or to order their groceries online for delivery or pickup.
Kroger notes that its grocery pickup service is currently free, with the usual $4.95 fee waived.
13. Menards
This home improvement retailer requires all guests to wear a mask or facial covering.
14. Publix
This regional grocery chain will start requiring all shoppers to wear a face covering over their noses and mouths on July 21.
15. Sam’s Club
This warehouse club chain started requiring all shoppers to wear a face covering on July 20, although it notes that most clubs are already located in areas where state or local governments already had mandated face coverings.
16. Smart & Final
Face coverings are required at this grocery chain. Other rules also apply, such as limiting the size of your shopping party to no more than two people.
17. Schnucks
This regional grocery chain started requiring everyone to wear a face covering on July 20. Young children and people who are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition are exempt.
18. Target
Target will start requiring all shoppers to wear masks or face coverings in all stores on Aug. 1, with the exception of young children and people with underlying medical conditions. The retailer notes that more than 80% of its stores already require shoppers to wear masks due to state or local regulations.
19. Verizon
You must cover your face at the local Verizon store. Verizon also has implemented a 1-to-1 employee/customer ratio, and notes that “you may need to wait outside or in your vehicle before going in.”
20. Walgreens
Like competitor CVS, Walgreens started requiring customers to wear masks at all of its locations on July 20. The chain notes, though, that per state and local regulations, face coverings already had been required at thousands of Walgreens locations.
21. Walmart
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, has the same parent company as Sam’s Club, and the same situation applies as far as masks go: All shoppers must wear them starting July 20, although most Walmart stores are located in areas where state or local governments previously had mandated face coverings.
22. Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods started requiring shoppers to wear masks on July 20. Stores will provide masks for those who don’t have one.
For more on wearing masks during the pandemic, check out:
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