Target, Walmart, Costco Among Retailers No Longer Requiring Masks

(KNSI) – Minneapolis-based Target Corporation says it will no longer require face masks for fully vaccinated guests and team members.

In a statement issued Monday morning, the company says, “Given the CDC’s updated guidance last week, Target will no longer require fully vaccinated guests and team members to wear face coverings in our stores, except where it’s required by local ordinances. Face coverings will continue to be strongly recommended for guests and team members who are not fully vaccinated and we’ll continue our increased safety and cleaning measures, including social distancing, throughout our stores.”

Thursday, the CDC said people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks indoors, except in the most crowded situations. Friday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz lifted the statewide mask mandate via executive order but left the door open for cities and individual businesses to require masks. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis told KNSI that the new executive order nullifies the City Council’s citywide mask requirement. Target said it was still deliberating but made the announcement official Monday morning.

Costco and Walmart said they would no longer require masks in their stores, and coffee giant Starbucks followed suit. CVS says it has not decided on whether to allow fully vaccinated guests to go maskless in its stores.

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