Mask mandate goes in place at Walmart, other major retailers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Carolyn Johnson’s kids aren’t always good about wearing masks, she said Monday.

The Jacksonville mom described, “I take it pretty seriously. I mean, if it’s one of the only things we can do to keep ourselves from getting sick, I think it’s something we need to do.”

Johnson told Action News Jax she’s glad major retailers are now mandating masks for all customers inside the stores.

“I think they should have done it a while ago, to be honest. I really think it’s probably the safest thing,” she said.

Action News Jax reported earlier in July when Walmart and Sam’s Club announced the face covering requirement.

Company leaders said starting Monday and moving forward, stores have health ambassadors stationed at the entrance to the building.

In a statement the National Retail Federation said it hopes Walmart’s policy will be a ‘tipping point in this public health debate.’

Other chains followed suit.

• Target – masks mandatory as of August 1
• CVS – masks mandatory as of July 20
• Khols – masks mandatory as of July 20
• Publix – masks mandatory as of July 21

Johnson said, “I wish smaller stores did it. I work at Circle K … we have to wear them but, we have these customers, we can’t send them out for not wearing them. I don’t think it’s fair.”

Winn-Dixie is one store that said there would not be a mask mandate.

A statement from Southeastern Grocers read in part, ‘our associates have seen that mask mandates are a highly charged issue with our customers. We do not want to put our associates in a position to navigate interpersonal conflict or prohibit customers from shopping in our stores.’

The statement added that masks are strongly encouraged inside stores.

Johnson said she’d be opting out of shopping at any store without a mask policy.

“I don’t really understand why people have such an issue with it. Either wear it, or stay home,” she explained.

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