Walmart, Sam’s Club to Require Shoppers Wear Face Coverings Starting July 20

Walmart announced today, starting Monday, July 20, all of its Walmart and Sam’s Club stores will require shoppers to wear masks while inside its facilities.

According to a corporate announcement by Dacona Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Walmart US and Lance de la Rosa, Chief Operating Officer, Sam’s Club, the move was an effort to bring some consistency to the number and varieties of face covering mandates across the country, along with heeding CDC guidelines to keep both employees and shoppers safe. “Currently about 65 percent of our more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings,” read the statement.

Pushing the start of the new policy to next week would give the company enough time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols. The company has also created the role of Health Ambassador, an employee who will be wearing a black polo shirt, to be stationed near the entrance of the store to remind shoppers of and assist them with adhering to the new mask requirement.

Complimentary masks will be provided if shoppers don’t have them; they can also purchase masks in the stores.

“We know some people have differing opinions on this topic,” concluded the company statement. “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. 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.”