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Walmart will require customers to wear masks at all of its locations – including Sam’s Club stores – beginning next week.
The company said about 65% of its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings.
“To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20,” said company officials in a blog post. “This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols.”
Other national chains have made similar moves, including Kroger and Kohl’s which both announced mask policies on Wednesday. Costco, Starbucks, Best Buy, American Eagle Outfitters and Apple have also implemented a requirement that all customers wear masks in their stores.
“While we’re certainly not the first business to require face coverings, we know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities,” the post stated.
In addition to signage at the front of stores, Walmart will station employees called “health ambassadors” near the entrances of stores to remind customers of the new requirement. The ambassadors will receive special training to help make the process as smooth as possible for customers, the post stated. The ambassadors will wear black polo shirts and will “work with” customers who show up at a store without a face covering to “try and find a solution.”
The company will limit all stores to a single entrance to help ensure consistency with the new process.
As for Sam’s Club, associates at the entrance will follow the same process by reminding customers of the mask requirement. Complimentary masks will be provided if the member doesn’t have one, or members can purchase masks in the club.
