Some of the country’s largest supermarket chains will continue to require customers to wear masks in stores or urge customers to do so, despite Texas and Mississippi suspension orders put in place during COVID-19 to protect against the spread of the virus .
Kroger and Aldi locations operating in Texas and Mississippi will still require customers to wear masks.
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Governor Greg Abbott and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said on Tuesday that both states would terminate the state’s mask requirements (as of March 10 and March 3, respectively), citing the reduction of cases and more access to coronavirus vaccines as reasons for their decisions.
But, with health officials insisting that masquerading can generate new cases, some high-traffic supermarkets are doing their part to maintain health and safety protocols in stores.
WHATABURGER STILL ENCOURAGES MASKS AFTER THE TEXAS GOVERNOR’S ELEVATORS MANDATE
Here are the updated safety guidelines for major U.S. grocery stores operating in Texas:
ALDI
Customers will be required to wear masks at Aldi stores, a company spokesman confirmed to WFAA8 Dallas.
“For the health and well-being of the communities we serve and for the protection of our employees, we will maintain our current national policy requiring all employees and customers to wear face shields when shopping in our stores. We will continue to evaluate any new guidelines issued by the CDC, and will keep our customers informed of any future changes, “said Aldi in a statement according to WFAA8.
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Albertsons
Albertsons, which also owns local Tom Thumb and Randalls grocery stores, does not require customers to wear face masks. However, the chain encourages its use in stores, and will continue with social distancing guidelines and cleaning protocols, in addition to forcing its associates and salespeople to use facial coverings.
“For customers, we will encourage the use of facial coverings while you are in the store. We will continue our COVID health and safety measures, including improved cleaning protocols, social distance guidelines, plexiglass barriers and associated daily health checks,” said a door to Fox Notícias via email, adding: “We will continue to monitor the situation and work quickly to inform customers, associates and suppliers when or if there are changes in the health and safety policies in place.”
KROGER CONTINUES TO REQUIRE MASKS AFTER TEXAS, MISSISSIPPI LIFT MANDATES
Kroger
Kroger will require customers to wear masks until their employees have access to vaccines.
“The Kroger Family of Companies’ most urgent priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been providing a safe environment for our associates and customers, while fulfilling our social obligation to provide open stores, e-commerce solutions and a chain of operational supplies efficiently so that our communities have access to fresh food, “said a Kroger spokesman in a statement emailed to Fox News.
“To ensure the continued safety of our customers and associates, the Kroger Family of Companies will continue to require that everyone in our stores across the country wear masks until all of our front-line grocery associates can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. ”Added the statement. “We also continue to advocate for federal, state and local authorities to prioritize frontline workers for the vaccine implantation plan and will offer a one-time payment of $ 100 to members who receive the recommended doses of the COVID- vaccine. 19. “
HEB and Central Market
Both HEB and the Central Market will force employees to continue wearing masks and encourage, but not require, customers to do the same.
“Although state policy has changed, our store policy has not changed. HEB has always followed state and local regulations and we will continue to require buyers to wear masks while they are in our stores. In addition, we still require all of our partners and suppliers wear masks while at work, “the network said in a statement on its website. “In addition, we understand that some customers cannot wear a mask due to medical exceptions. We request that all customers follow the Covid-19 protocols that we have in place during purchases.”
Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report