American retailer Target confirms that it will require customers to wear masks beginning next month. The announcement comes after rival retailer Walmart also said that it would make masks and face coverings mandatory beginning next week.
In a statement today, Target said that all customers will have to wear a mask in all stores beginning August 1, 2020. Target said that "this builds on the more than 80% of our stores that already require guests to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations." California, Texas, and Louisiana, where Target is the most popular clothing chain, are some of the states that have been hardest hit by COVID-19 and now all require the use of masks or face coverings when out in public.
Gamers and shoppers have come up with some very creative ways of sticking to face mask rules and helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. From the Death Stranding fan who used cosplay to protect his child from COVID-19 to the branded masks being given out by publishers like Square Enix, there are many options for those who don't like the typical surgical mask style. However, masks have been in short supply and for those who show up to the store without one, Target says it will hand masks out at the door.
The move follows a rise in COVID-19 cases around the United States, with some states enforcing stricter lockdown conditions. After easing some lockdown restrictions in May, California this month had to enforce its stay at home measures once more, meaning that gyms, shopping malls, and cinemas would have to close. The State of California has also held off on issuing its theme park guidelines, meaning that the reopening of the Disneyland theme park has been delayed.
It's unclear how long mandatory face masks and other policies like it will be enforced at Target and other retailers. Cinema chain AMC said that it will require masks to be worn when it reopens later this month. The AMC reopening date is now July 30, 2020, after being delayed several times as major movie releases like Wonder Woman 1984 and Mulan changed their release dates.
One positive for those who really want to get out there and go shopping, is that Target and most big-name retailers in the United States are available for online shopping, with some retailers like Walmart rumored to be working on their version of Amazon Prime. It's not the same as going to a store and buying things, but it is the safest option.
Source: CNN, Business Insider
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