A day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new masking guidelines, retailers started announcing changes to mask policies for fully vaccinated customers.
Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco and Publix were the first to confirm updates to mask requirements, leading the way for mask-free shopping except where required by state or local mandate. In some cases, vaccinated store employees can also go to work without a mask.
Many retailers, including Apple, Target, CVS and Walgreens, say they are still evaluating the CDC guidance but say they could update policies.
Starbucks updates its policy starting Monday and makes masks “optional for vaccinated customers beginning Monday, May 17, unless local regulations require them by law.”
So far, businesses have said proof of the vaccine won’t need to be shown and will be on the honor system.
Publix’s mask update started Saturday and is for both fully vaccinated shoppers and workers.
“In accordance with CDC guidelines, individuals who are not fully vaccinated are required to use face coverings over their noses and mouths while inside any Publix store,” the grocery store chain said in a statement Friday.
Bloomberg reported Friday night that Apple stores will continue to require masks and follow other COVID-19 procedures as the company continues to evaluate health and safety measures. Apple was one of the first retailers to mandate masks.
The CDC said Thursday that fully vaccinated Americans, for the most part, no longer need to wear masks indoors and don’t have to wear masks outdoors, even in crowded spaces.
But privately-owned businesses can still require masks, which most of the nation’s largest retailers started mandating last summer. There are other exceptions for when the CDC recommends masks such as in health care settings, transportation hubs such as airports and stations, planes and public transportation.
Conflicts at businesses and viral videos of shoppers’ tirades erupted amid the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC advised stores not to argue with angry anti-mask customers.
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Lisa LaBruno, senior executive vice president at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, said in a statement the CDC guidance “creates ambiguity for retailers because it fails to fully align with state and local orders.”
LaBruno urged customers to follow safety protocols, including wearing a mask and social distancing.
“Frontline workers deserve this respect. Retailers encourage customers that do not want to wear a mask to shop online or via curbside pickup offerings,” LaBruno said.
No masks for vaccinated customers
Some exceptions apply, including in states and cities that have local mandates.
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Costco
- Publix
- Sam’s Club
- Sprouts
- Starbucks (Starts Monday, May 17)
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
Stores still requiring masks, for now
- Albertsons
- Apple
- CVS
- Home Depot
- Kroger
- Macy’s
- Meijer
- Target
- Walgreens
- Winn-Dixie
https://news.yahoo.com/walmart-costco-trader-joes-publix-022858647.html
So now you prove you are “vaccinated” by not wearing a mask? To hell with “vaccine passports”! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahh!
And so it begins…………goooood! Wonder how long before all these Commercial Businesses start burning to the fkn ground, as it should be AND they fkn better!!!
As they raise this new Fourth Reich………..history repeats;
Just keep taking names and numbers and ID as many as possible for later retribution once we the people reclaim our nation.
All enforcers; know that you will be on the front lines when this shit jumps off…..and remember for many of us, you are just in the way, guilty yes! but just in the way.!
Hey Suits, tickity tock mthrfkrs
Got told yesterday at an ace hardware by an employee they didn’t need a mask because they where vaccinated.
So now I say I’m vaccinated too. You can tell because I twitch a lot and smell like rum.
Hahahahaha! Nice.
It is time to boycott all the places that want to play this unlawful game of vaccination proof. This is against the HIPPA laws & the Civil Rights act of 1965 ( I think that is the correct date). Let’s add Disney World to the list to boycott. Apparently, there are goons that make sure you are wearing your mask at all times. It hard to enjoy anything, when you have ti be on edge all the time.
“… So far, businesses have said proof of the vaccine won’t need to be shown and will be on the honor system. … Will the honor system work?: Experts say the honor system, paper cards won’t cut it for COVID vaccine verification. ‘Vaccine passports’ are coming. …”
Honor System? Really?
– Someone, somewhere, coughs and murmurers “Bull Sht”.
“Well, I’m honored that you considered the ‘Honor System’.”
See, I can lie just as well.
But, what about those who have elected to wave the finger at the establishment and not partake in this happy-go-lucky escapade of a George Orwell novel? (Not that anyone needs permission)
And, just how will you tell the difference between vaxed or not vaxed?
A “vax passport”?
A “Mark”? Of course, the imagination can run wild on this one (a sub-dermal ultraviolet tattoo or an invisible “quantum dot tattoo” implant comes to mind. Thank Bill Gates).
No – it is to be expected that everyone go “maskless”, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, morale code or even if you double-dipped your chips in the dip. or drink from the milk carton and don’t tell anyone you did so.
So, in summary, this is another on-going cluster frakk, by the current establishment.