Beginning on Monday, July 20, Walmart and Sam's Club will require shoppers to wear face masks or face coverings at all of its stores.
"As the number of confirmed cases has spiked in communities across the country recently, so too have the number and types of face covering mandates being implemented," read a blog post published Tuesday, July 15, on Walmart's corporatewebsite.
"To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols," read the post.
Walmart said 65% of its 5,000 stores are located in a place that has some form of a mask mandate.
The retail chain will also implement a single entrance at its stores and create a "Health Ambassador" role to remind people of the new requirements, Walmart said.
For those who show up without a mask, Walmart said it was "currently considering different solutions for customers when this requirement takes effect on July 20."
At Sam's Club, however, members who show up without a mask will receive a complimentary one, according to the post.
"We know some people have differing opinions on this topic. We also recognize the role we can play to help protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials like the CDC," the post said.
"We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our customers and members in wearing face coverings to protect their safety and the safety of our associates."
