To mask or not to mask? – Businesses share mask policies

Companies such as Walmart and Sam’s Clubs, Best Buy, Publix and Kroger have announced that customers will be required to wear face coverings, masks in their stores amid concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus. These policies will go into effect for Walmart and Sam’s Clubs on Monday, July 20, for Kroger on Wednesday, July 22 and for Publix on Tuesday, July 21, according to posts on the companies’ respective websites. Best Buy instituted their face covering policy on July 15, as mentioned in a post on the company’s blog.

Walmart, Kroger and Best Buy acknowledged in their announcements that there may be individuals who may not be able to wear a mask. Kroger also stated that if a face mask is unable to be worn, alternatives, such as face shields and coverings are encouraged to be considered.

Walmart further announced that the stores would be limited to one entrance, there will be signage posted at the front of stores, and the role of “Health Ambassador” has been created within the stores. Walmart said these individuals would be posted near the entrance of the stores and will wear black polo shirts. Walmart noted that they are, “currently considering different solutions for customers when this requirement takes effect on July 20.”

Publix announced new measures being undertaken to, according to their post, help customers maintain social distancing among other customers and associates. Publix said aisles will now be “one-way” to reduce the chances of passing another customer, six-foot increments have been marked at checkouts, and managers have the discretion to limit the number of patrons in the store at a time. Publix also asked that customers shop alone if they can.

Kroger, as well as Best Buy, offered in their announcements, alternatives to in-store services such as online shopping, delivery and pickup.

The Houston Home Journal spoke to local businesses on the topic as well. Les Souter of Bill’s Produce Market in Warner Robins informed that he did not believe that their establishment would require masks.

“I don’t think we’ll require it. Now, we all do wear a mask, and I would venture to say that, probably, 80% of our customers have them on when they come. But we have a few that don’t.” Souter reminded that Bill’s Produce Market is an outdoor market and he felt that being such, it may be safer.

“It could be debated, I guess, whether to wear a mask or not, but, I think that it’s a lot safer than being indoors where the air is not circulated as well,” Souter pointed out. He also spoke on their small country store, and said that they limit the number of people that should go inside.

Souter explained that precautions such as social distancing, hand washing, and glove wearing, depending on the situation, are being practiced. He offered that, though he wasn’t sure if wearing a mask was crucial, he said, “It’s probably the cautionary way to proceed, anyway.”

Lynn Bassett of Ashley Marie’s Boutique explained that the wearing of masks is left optional to customers of the establishment.

“If they feel comfortable with wearing it, they have the choice to wear it,” Bassett shared, further noting that when customers come in, the boutique has Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer and masks available for customers who feel comfortable wearing them. “I have everything optional for them,” she said.

Bassett told the Houston Home Journal that she did not know if the store would ever come to the point where masks would be required.

“There’s just so many questions out there that it’s not very clear, so I don’t know. But right now, we’re not making it mandatory.”

Bassett further expressed that she just wanted customers to feel safe coming to shop at Ashley Marie’s.

“We’re all downtown using hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes, cleaning everything, trying to make it very safe for everybody,” Bassett shared.

HHJ News