Walmart, Target, Costco: Vaccinated customers don’t need to mask
May 14, 2021; updated May 17
Target and Costco are among national retailers joining Walmart in no longer requiring customers to wear a mask as long as they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19
Target updated its policy Monday following last week’s revised guidance from the CDC that it’s safe for fully vaccinated people to stop wearing masks in most indoor and outdoor settings.
“Fully vaccinated” means it has been two weeks since a person received the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson.
The policy changes do not override local mandates, the retailers said.
Walmart and Costco changed their policies Friday. Walmart and Target said fully vaccinated employees also don’t have to wear masks. Costco’s statement from its CEO to members did not indicate whether the change applied to staff.
Costco said masks will still be required for everyone at all club pharmacies, optical and hearing aid departments.
Walmart’s policy change applies to Sam’s Club as well.
Unvaccinated Walmart associates must still wear face coverings, per CDC guidance.
“We are also reviewing whether masks may still be required for certain job codes for health and sanitation purposes and will share additional guidance soon. Some associates may choose to continue to wear masks, and as part of our value of respect for the individual we should all support their right to do so,” the company said in a statement attributed to Walmart leadership.
“These are positive developments. We can do this. We’ve been through a lot this year, and now we need to do our part to finish this. We encourage you to get vaccinated and to tell your friends and fellow associates. Thank you to all of you who have already chosen to make a difference and thank you to all of you who will choose to do so now.”
To be eligible to work without a mask, associates need to answer “yes” to the vaccination question in the daily health assessment. Health assessments will continue for all associates. If they are not vaccinated, they are expected to answer “no” and to continue to wear a face covering.
“Integrity is one of our core values, and we trust that associates will respect that principle when answering,” Walmart said.
Walmart also is providing $75 to U.S. field associates as a thank-you for getting vaccinated.
