Here are the updated mask policies of major retailers and grocery stores in New York.

Aldi's website says that vaccinated shoppers and employees are not required to wear masks, unless local or state mandates change. But its policy via its website does specify,

“We require that unvaccinated customers and employees continue all appropriate safety precautions, including wearing masks and physically distancing, to protect themselves and others.”

 

Best Buy, which has not updated the mask policy on its website since May 18, 2021, is not currently requiring masks,

Beginning immediately, fully vaccinated customers are no longer required to wear face coverings in our stores, except where otherwise mandated by state or local order. Instead, they will be available for any customer who wants one.

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BJ's Wholesale is requiring all employees to wear masks, as of August 2, 2021, and recommends that all customers wear masks as well,

Based on recent guidance from public health officials, all BJ’s team members will be required to wear face coverings in areas with substantial or high transmission as defined by the CDC regardless of vaccination status starting on August 2, 2021. We also encourage shoppers at all BJ’s locations in areas with substantial or high transmission to wear a face covering regardless of vaccination status.

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Costco has no mask mandate, unless it is required by the government in the area. Its website states,

Costco locations will follow the face mask regulations of the applicable state and local jurisdictions.

CVS specifies that customers and employees who have not received the vaccine wear masks,

Face coverings required for employees and customers who are not fully vaccinated.

Its website says that children under 2 years of age and people who may be adversely affected by masks do not need to wear them.

Dollar General has not updated its mask policy on its website since May 18, 2021. The current policy says that vaccinated employees, customers and vendors do not need to wear masks. They are recommended for unvaccinated people. Dollar General's policy does state that it will adhere to any local mask mandates,

In areas where local, county and/or state law mandates mask use, employees and customers are required to wear masks.

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Dollar Tree states on its website that it will follow mask guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control,

We are following the latest guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as all local and state ordinances.

As of August 9, it is requiring that all store associates and vendors must wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status.

Family Dollar's mask policy simply states that it is following whatever the latest Centers for Disease Control guidelines are, as well as local mandates. As of August 9, it has changed its mask requirement for employees,

Our associates and vendors are required to wear face coverings when inside our stores, regardless of vaccination status.

Home Depot is requiring all employees and vendors to wear masks. The home improvement retailer is asking customers to wear masks also.

Beginning August 2, customers are asked to wear masks in stores and we will continue to offer masks to those who don’t have one. Masks are required for all associates, contractors and vendors to be worn indoors at all U.S. Home Depot stores, distribution centers, office locations and customer homes or businesses, regardless of vaccination status. ~ sHome Depot/a>

Kohl's has not updated its mask policy since May 17, 2021. Its current policy is that vaccinated people do not need to wear masks. As for unvaccinated people, the retail chain's website states,

We will continue to strongly recommend that non-vaccinated customers and associates wear masks in our stores. We will continue to follow city and state ordinances where masks continue to be required.

Kroger requires unvaccinated employees and customers to wear masks.  It recently updated its policy and suggests that guests take precautions against the Delta variant,

In light of the Delta variant and updated CDC recommendations, we strongly encourage all individuals, including those who are vaccinated, to wear a mask when in our stores and facilities.

Lowe's has updated its mask requirements, based on recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. It is now requiring all employees to wear masks and strongly encourages shoppers to wear them also,

Because of the increased cases of COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the delta variant, effective August 2, Lowe’s associates are required to wear masks indoors at all U.S. locations and while working in a customer’s home or business – regardless of vaccination status. Lowe’s will continue to abide by all state and local mask mandates. Stores will have signs encouraging customers to wear masks, and free masks will continue to be available for customers who request them.

Meijer's mask policy states,

We ask all customers who are not fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, to wear a mask while they shop at our stores and maintain social distancing. Subject to local, state and federal health and safety recommendations.

It is encouraging all employees and shoppers to wear masks, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

PetSmart's mask policy was updated in August 2021. It is requiring face coverings for all individuals,

Based on the most recent COVID-19 case rates, news of the Delta variant currently circulating across the United States, and the updated CDC recommendations, we have updated our face covering guidance to best support the health and safety of our customers, associates and their families. Effective Aug. 7, all associates in the U.S. and Puerto Rico are required to wear a face covering while in a PetSmart location regardless of vaccination status.

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Price Rite's website states,

Store associates will adhere to the same state or local guidance as customers. In certain locations, the individual owner’s company policy may require all associates to continue wearing a mask in our stores.

Publix is requiring all of its employees to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, as of August 2.  While its policy does not specifically say customers must wear masks, it does encourage shoppers, especially in hard-hit areas, to do-so,

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people in areas of substantial- or high-transmission risk wear face coverings over their noses and mouths when in public, indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

Rite Aid's website says that as of July 4, 2021, vaccinated shoppers do not need to wear masks unless mandated by local ordinances. It does ask that unvaccinated customers wear masks,

As a healthcare provider, we continue to ask unvaccinated individuals, particularly those receiving any direct care from our pharmacists, to continue to wear a face covering while in our stores.

Sam's Club's mask policy states,

Per CDC Guidance, all Walmart and Sam’s Club associates working in an area of substantial or high transmission are required to wear a mask or face covering while working indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The bulk goods retailer says that customers will be kept aware of local store mask mandates, if any, via signage in its stores.

Target just recently updated its mask policy because of the Centers for Disease Control's recent mask recommendations,

Effective Tuesday, August 3, based on the CDC’s updated guidance, we’ll require face coverings for our team members and strongly recommend face coverings for all guests in areas with substantial or high risk of transmission, as defined by the CDC. We’ll follow all local mandates, as we have throughout the pandemic, and continue to monitor guidance from the CDC closely.

T.J. Maxx & Marshalls requires masks for its associates and strongly recommends customers wear masks,

Recent CDC guidance which recommends that all unvaccinated individuals wear face coverings indoors, and that vaccinated individuals wear face coverings in areas with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19. Where applicable, we ask individuals to follow any state or local mandates that require face coverings.

Tops Friendly Markets just recently changed its policy and now is requiring fully vaccinated employees to wear masks, as well as unvaccinated people. Vaccinated shoppers still have the option. Its policy says,

We will continue to monitor any new guidance set forth by the CDC as well as any local or state governing office that would mandate that masks are required indoors and adjust accordingly.

Walgreens, which is America's largest drugstore chain, dropped its mask mandate for shoppers who are vaccinated unless local government specifies that people must wear masks indoors, although it does encourage all customers to wear face coverings. The company's current policy, updated August 3 states the employees must wear masks,

Walgreens have reinstated face cover requirements for all Walgreens team members – regardless of vaccination status.

Walmart is requiring masks for its employees and highly encourages masks for customers. It recently released a statement via its website,

We will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission. In these counties and where there are state or local mask mandates, associates will be required to wear masks inside our facilities, including stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

Wegmans updated its mask policy on July 30, 2021. It is not requiring masks for vaccinated people, except if it's mandated by local or state officials.

Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, ended its mask police on May 19 for customers and employees. Its policy on its website states,

Customers and Team Members who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are welcome in most of our store locations without a mask. Unvaccinated customers are asked to continue to wear masks. Masks are still required in U.S. and Canada stores with a state/provincial or local mandate.

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