Walmart, CVS, and Others Reverse Mandatory Face Mask Policy

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Shortly after making face masks a mandatory requirement for shoppers, Walmart and other retailers have reversed the policy.

Walmart, Lowe’s, CVS, Home Depot, and Walgreens had first stated shoppers were required to wear face coverings to receive service but quickly backtracked the policy to avoid fights and confrontations with disgruntled customers.

Stores had asked customers to wear a face mask covering before entering the store but were unable to enforce the policy due to the lack of any legal legislation requiring customers to do so.

Many face mask confrontations have turned violent which ultimately led to the scrapping of the mandatory face mask policy.

The following stores are dealing with the rescindment of the mandatory face mask policy in the following ways:

Walmart

Walmart will begin to place employees called “health ambassadors” at the entrance of stores reminding shoppers to wear a mask as they enter the store. If the customer refuses to wear a mask and declines the offer of a free mask, management will be called upon to determine the next steps for said customer. Employees have received training via a corporate video instructing employees not to block entrance or physically engage with maskless customers.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s is requesting customers to wear masks and is providing a free mask to customers who need them. A Lowe’s representative said regarding the face mask policy, “We will not ask our associates to put their safety at risk by confronting customers about wearing masks.”

CVS

CVS has asked for its shoppers to cooperate with the mask policy but will not force customers to wear one in order to receive service. A CVS company representative stated regarding the mask policy:

“In the event of non-compliance, for safety reasons, we have asked our employees to avoid escalated confrontations with non-compliant customers, and to instead help them complete their purchases as quickly as possible while providing information about other options we have available for their future needs, including free home delivery for prescriptions and our drive-thru window service.”

Home Depot

Home Depot has required customers entering the store to wear a face covering but employees will not challenge anyone not wearing one. Like Walmart, Home Depot has instructed employees to not block the entrance or confront maskless customers.