Walmart announced it will require all customers to wear a mask while shopping. The mandate applies to all of the company's 9,000 stores and will be enforced in states that do not have a legal requirement to wear a mask while in public. The new policy will also be in effect at Sam's Club, which Walmart owns.
The new requirement will begin on July 20.
"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 retailer wrote in a blog post.
Walmart, which is the world's largest retailer, joins a growing list of national chains that require customers to wear masks. Costco has had a mask mandate since May, while Best Buy and Starbucks both implemented mandatory mask policies that took effect this week.
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