Walmart’s move comes a day after Best Buy joined the list of companies needing coatings. (File)
New York:
Walmart announced Wednesday that it would force buyers to wear face masks, joining an increasing number of companies to make protection mandatory in the midst of the latest spike in US coronavirus cases.
The world‘s largest retailer, which had previously promoted but not requested masks on consumers, said the mandate would take effect on July 20.
This will give the company time to display posters and train “health ambassadors” to facilitate the process of requiring an article that has been a cultural flashpoint throughout the United States. of the country’s struggle with COVID-19.
“While we are certainly not the first company to require face covers, we know it is a simple step that everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others at our facilities,” said a note from two executives from Walmart, chief operating officer of the United States. Officer Dacona Smith and Lance de la Rosa, chief operating officer at Sam’s Club.
“Because the virus can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected, it is extremely important that everyone wears a face covering from a public and social distance.”
Walmart’s move comes a day after Best Buy joined the list of companies needing coatings.
Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian told CNBC on Tuesday that face covers are required of customers and that travelers who refuse to wear masks will not be allowed to fly on the carrier again.
In recent weeks, the campaign to demand face covers has gained support beyond public circles, including economists at Goldman Sachs and Dallas Federal Reserve chief Robert Kaplan, who defended the masks as a vital step to manage the American coronavirus crisis and return the economy to health.
But the masking mandates have led to friction in stores in the United States, giving rise to numerous videos of furious customers confronting retail employees that have been widely disseminated on social networks.
President Donald Trump, who resisted wearing a mask for months and sometimes made fun of the trend, was finally photographed in a blanket last weekend during a visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Walmart said it would make exceptions in some cases.
“We know that it may not be possible for everyone to wear a face covering,” said the memo. “Our associates will be trained on these exceptions to help reduce friction for the customer and make the process as simple as possible for everyone.”
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
