Publix will no longer require fully vaccinated shoppers to wear masks at their supermarkets, company officials said on Friday. Employees are also free to work without masks. The new policy went into effect on Saturday.
Trader Joe’s was the first major grocery chain to drop mask mandates for employees and customers after the CDC issued new guidance.
CVS, Walmart and Costco also changed their policy regarding masks. Customers who are fully vaccinated can roam about the stores without masks.
The no mask policy by major retailers does not require proof of vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on Thursday, ending mask mandates indoors for individuals who are fully vaccinated.
Publix’s Twitter account responded to questions regarding non-vaccinated shoppers going maskless inside stores. A Publix rep said shoppers will be on the honor system.
“Individuals who are not fully vaccinated will be reminded of face covering requirements through store entrance signage. We expect everyone in our stores to do their part to help limit the spread of COVID-19.”
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated will be reminded of face covering requirements through store entrance signage. We expect everyone in our stores to do their part to help limit the spread of COVID-19. ? Lacey
— PublixHelps (@PublixHelps) May 15, 2021
@Publix @PublixHelps do you think people are going to be honest??? This is ridiculous.
— Therese (@TexasTherese) May 15, 2021
Actually, people will not vaxx and not mask, and they're well aware. This is a way to eliminate masking without doing the politically impossible thing of requiring a vaxx passport. Businesses will drop Vaxx ID requirements just as fast.
— Bayham Badger (@BayhamBadger) May 13, 2021
