CINCINNATI — Beginning July 22, Kroger will require that all customers wear face masks in stores nationwide, the company announced Wednesday.
The Cincinnati-based grocery chain joins a growing list of retailers across the country requiring coronavirus-conscious safety measures as the number of COVID-19 infections continue to surge nationwide.
With the increase in #COVID19 cases across the country, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus. Starting July 22, we will require all customers in all locations to wear a mask, joining our associates who continue to wear masks. pic.twitter.com/r9WPD3QNFa
— Kroger News (@KrogerNews) July 15, 2020
“With the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus,” a statement from the company states. “Starting July 22, we will require all customers in all locations to wear a mask, joining our associates who continue to wear masks.”
The mandate echoes those adopted to date by the Apple Store, Best Buy, Costco, Dollar Tree, Sam’s Club, Starbucks and Walmart.
Kroger stores in the Cincinnati area have already required that customers wear masks, WLWT reported.
The mask measure is the latest of several recent coronavirus-conscious changes Kroger has adopted.
Most recently, the chain announced its cashiers will no longer provide coin change for most transactions. Customers who cannot provide exact change may either have the carryover applied to a customer loyalty account or donate the rounded-up amount to Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative.
Kroger spokesperson Erin Rolfes confirmed to WLWT that change will still be given at self-checkout stations, and any customer choosing the loyalty program credit will automatically have their rounded-up amount applied to their next purchase.
Cox Media Group
