Retailers will soon require all of their customers to wear face masks in their stores. Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, Best Buy, and Walmart.

The face mask requirement is largely aimed at chain-wide uniformity, as many stores already have been affected by state and local mask mandates. Additionally, all of the retailers have required that masks be worn by employees at all times since the onset of the pandemic.

"On behalf of America's leading retailers, thank you for all you do to keep our communities safe.

Governors, mayors, and law enforcement bear the enormous task of protecting the welfare of entire communities during this unprecedented crisis, and retailers are committed to continuing our role as an essential partner in this effort. We greatly appreciate the partnership many governors and mayors have developed with state retail associations, who have served as integral advisors between leading retailers and policymakers.

The coronavirus pandemic is unlike any crisis our nation has faced in modern times. The twin impacts of a health crisis and economic collapse have caused an enormous strain on families across the nation, and without a vaccine or effective treatment, millions of people are still at risk. Leading retailers have been at the forefront of this crisis; first, as essential outposts to provide families and first responders with the food and supplies they needed to shelter down and stay safe. Second, leading retailers have worked tirelessly since the onset of this crisis to develop protocols for keeping employees and customers safe." said Brian Dodge, president of the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Face Mask Requirement

Retailers have invested billions in new training, sanitization procedures, PPE, and safety protocols; all designed to keep employees, customers, and the communities they serve safe. While no business can completely eliminate risk, we are confident the measures leading retailers have implemented greatly minimize the possibility of COVID-19 spread and are the right approach for the country until there is widespread immunity from the virus.