Following last Thursday’s announcement by the CDC it was relaxing its mask-wearing and social distancing mandates, a number of large U.S. companies, including Walmart, the country’s biggest retailer, announced they would follow suit.
Walmart’s move, which affects over 1.5 million American workers and some 140 million shoppers, was considered the most influential, as they confirmed they were dropping mask wearing for workers and shoppers who had been injected. According to a memo released to all employees last Friday:
“We’re encouraging all associates to get vaccinated and help end this pandemic. Do it for your health, your family, your friends, your community, and your country—let’s help reach our national vaccination goals by the 4th of July.”
The company’s policy, however, is to not confront shoppers without masks. The memo clarified the company wants to avoid “physical confrontations.”
Confusion Reigns
As with virtually all changes in CDC guidelines and state and local rules since the coronavirus started spreading over a year ago, there’s no consistency in how companies and governments act. The Wall Street Journal wrote last Saturday that business leaders across the country were still trying to figure out the best way to move forward, particularly given the labyrinth of different rules and mandates depending on what state or local region one is in.
As an example: while Pennsylvania and Virginia dropped mask requirements right away, some of the largest states that had the harshest lockdowns, such as New York, California, and New Jersey, have not yet agreed to relax restrictions.
And whereas Walmart quickly followed suit with the CDC’s new guidelines, America’s largest supermarket chain, Kroger Company, will keep its strict mask policy for the time being.
Adding to the confusion, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trader Joe’s would keep its mask policy for those who couldn’t confirm getting jabbed. But then, a few sentences later, wrote that the grocery-store chain confirmed it wouldn’t call for vaccination proof of anyone not wearing a mask. On the company’s website it states, “We encourage customers to follow the guidance of health officials, including, as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping.”
An influential trade group, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, pointed out the confusion existing between what the CDC is now recommending and mandates enacted at state and local levels. The trade group suggested that those who don’t want to wear masks indoors should shop online or seek curbside service.
With the CDC now recommending vaccinated patrons be allowed to attend crowded indoor and outdoor venues, companies like Walt Disney are preparing to reopen fully. Disney Chief Executive Bob Chapek confirmed last Thursday, “Today’s guidance is very big news for us.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, however, in responding to questions about his state relaxing mask requirements, said, “We’re not there yet.”
TREND FORECAST: While many businesses will be mask-free if a person is vaccinated and not require a vaccine card to prove it when the next variant of the coronavirus breaks out, there will be more government mandates to show proof of vaccinations.
