Walmart Inc. is reinstating a mask mandate for workers in U.S. counties deemed at high risk of Covid-19 transmission, another sign that revised revised federal guidelines issued earlier this week have wide business implications.
The retail giant said it will encourage, but not require, shoppers to wear masks inside its stores.
In counties with “substantial” or “high” transmission rates—as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—new signage in stores will ask all customers to wear masks, said a company spokesman. In other areas, it will keep current signage that asks non-vaccinated shoppers to wear masks.
In July 2020, Walmart announced similar mask rules for all shoppers on a nationwide basis. This time the policy will be set on a county level. In May 2021, Walmart said it would stop requiring masks for vaccinated workers and shoppers, following then CDC guidance.
The CDC recommended Tuesday that vaccinated people resume wearing masks in some indoor spaces, following a rise in U.S. Covid-19 cases.
