Justin Bullock, FISM News
Americans across the country are collectively rejoicing as the first signs of the end of the global pandemic, Covid-19, are beginning to emerge. Earlier this week, FISM News reported that the CDC updated its pandemic guidelines indicating that masks were no longer necessary for those individuals who have been fully vaccinated. As a result, many major retailers have dropped their company requirements for their customers to wear masks while shopping at their facilities.
Yet, not every retailer has lifted their mask mandate for fully vaccinated persons nor even have all state and local governments. The mask mandate has been highly controversial with many Americans protesting the mandate by saying that it is an unconstitutional infringement of their civil liberties. The issue was never litigated by Federal Courts as it was largely reserved and regulated to the level of state and local government as well as private business policy and practice.
In any case, after a year of quarantine and masks, everyone is thrilled to see the end of the Covid-19 pandemic approaching. Most retailers are closely following the recommendations by the CDC and will be happy to have shoppers back without further complications from the pandemic.
It is important to note that not every major retailer has yet lifted their mask mandate and of those that have, they must still follow local jurisdiction guidelines which may still have mask requirements in place. Based on the CDC guidelines, retailers are only lifting the requirement for those individuals who have been fully vaccinated. Those shoppers who are not vaccinated are requested to maintain mask usage and everyone is encouraged to have a mask handy just in case.
Business Insider has provided a full list of major retailers who have and have not adjusted their mask policy in accordance with the CDC guidelines. The retailers that have removed the mask mandate consist of the following:
- Target
- Starbucks
- Walmart
- Home Depot
- Publix
- Costco
- Trader Joe’s
- Lidl
- CVS
- Meijer
- Kohl’s
- Best Buy