Which stores won’t require masks for fully vaccinated customers? Many businesses have updated their policies on face coverings since the CDC and New York state changed their guidance.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that fully vaccinated people can stop wearing face masks outdoors and inside most places. New York state adopted the CDC’s guidance Wednesday, allowing people fully vaccinated against coronavirus to stop wearing masks in nearly all settings, though Gov. Andrew Cuomo said businesses and private entities will continue to be allowed to set their own rules.
Here is a list of major retailers, grocery stores and pharmacies that are no longer requiring masks for fully vaccinated customers:
- Aldi: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask; store employees who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear a face covering starting May 26.
- BJ’s: Fully vaccinated customers and employees allowed without a mask.
- Costco: Fully vaccinated customers and employees allowed without a mask; face coverings still required in healthcare settings, such as pharmacy, hearing aids and optical.
- CVS: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
- Home Depot: Fully vaccinated customers and employees allowed without a mask.
- Kinney Drugs: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
- Kroger: Fully vaccinated customers and most employees allowed without a mask; pharmacy and clinic workers must continue wearing face coverings, according to Business Insider.
- Lowe’s: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
- Meijer: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask; employees must continue wearing face coverings.
- Price Chopper: ”We’re now recommending, not requiring, that all of our customers wear face coverings. We are still requiring all of our teammates to wear face coverings at this time.”
- Publix: Fully vaccinated customers and employees allowed without a mask.
- Stewart’s Shops: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask; store employees who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear a face covering starting May 24.
- Stop & Shop: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
- Target: Fully vaccinated customers and employees allowed without a mask.
- Tops: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
- Trader Joe’s: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
- Walgreens: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask; store employees and customers not fully vaccinated will continue wearing face coverings
- Walmart / Sam’s Club: Fully vaccinated customers and employees allowed without a mask.
- Wegmans: Fully vaccinated customers allowed without a mask.
Other companies that have said they won’t require fully vaccinated customers to wear face coverings include Starbucks, Macy’s, Kohl’s and Best Buy. Masks are also not required for vaccinated baseball fans at Syracuse Mets games.
Most businesses said they would not require proof of vaccination for people without a face mask, though it is not a HIPAA violation for most to request proof of the Covid-19 vaccine.
However, some retailers have reportedly said they would continue requiring masks for the time being, including Whole Foods, Dollar General, Bed Bath & Beyond, JCPenney, Ikea and Apple. Rite Aid said it would “encourage everyone to continue wearing their masks.”
Note: Retail chains with locations outside of New York may still be subject to local and state mandates. Unvaccinated people should continue wearing masks and social distancing in all settings, according to New York state and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Destiny USA said Tuesday it would not require masks for vaccinated shoppers inside the Syracuse mall, but cautioned that individual stores may require it.
The CDC says masks should still be worn, even if you’re vaccinated, in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, jails, public transportation, planes and schools.
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their final dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. According to the CDC, 48% of U.S. adults have been fully vaccinated and 57% of all Americans ages 12 and up have received at least one dose.
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