Walmart to Require Customers to Wear Facial Coverings Effective July 20.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

To continue focusing on the health and safety of its associates, members, and customers, Walmart will become the largest retailer to require facial coverings.

According to Dacona Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Walmart, and Lance De La Rosa, Chief Operating Officer at Sam’s Club, “To help bring consistency across stores and clubs we will require all shoppers to wear a face-covering starting Monday, July 20.”

Waiting to start the mandate next week will allow the retail company time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage, and train associates in the new protocols.

“While we’re certainly not the first business to require face coverings, we know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities.”

Along with posting signs at the front entrance to all stores, a new role of the Health Ambassador has been created. The Ambassadors are placed at the entrance to remind those without a mask of the new requirements.

According to a release, the ambassadors, identifiable by their black polo shirts, will work with customers who show up at a store without a face covering to try and find a solution. We are currently considering different solutions for customers when this requirement takes effect on July 20.

To help ensure consistency with this new process, all stores will have a single entrance.

At Sam’s Clubs, associates at the entrance will follow the same process with members, politely reminding them of our requirement to wear a face-covering when shopping with us. Complimentary masks will be provided if the member doesn’t have one. Or members can purchase masks in the club.