Stores Want Shoppers To Wear Protective Covering, But Some Customers Say No

Retailers want customers to wear face masks in stores but are struggling with how to convince shoppers to follow the requirements.

According to CNN Business, major chains are reluctant to upset shoppers and become exposed on social media by turning customers away.

Wegmans is urging its shoppers to wear face masks while in their stores to minimize “the likelihood of conflicts in our stores.”

However, the chain will not allow its employees to ask customers without face masks to leave.

“Wegmans will not put our employees in the position of having to deny entry to our stores,” a Wegmans spokesperson said in a statement. “That said, we ask that all customers comply with the mandate as it is best for everyone. We have additional signage in parking lots and as you enter the store to remind customers to wear a mask.”

Stop & Shop employees are telling shoppers that do not have a face mask on to “expedite their trip, then requesting that they wear a mask next time,” a spokesperson said.

However, workers are pushing for policies ordering shoppers to wear masks or face coverings to protect employees.

Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, said keeping stores safe is priority No. 1.

“Keeping grocery stores safe for both customers and workers means everyone must wear masks,” Perrone said in a statement. “We are urging both elected leaders and grocery chains to make masks mandatory for both customers and workers.”

Also, grocery workers around the country working during the coronavirus outbreak do not want to risk their lives for their job.

“They allow the customers to freely walk around the store without masks,” Dionna Richardson, a cashier at Ralph’s grocery store in Los Angeles told CNN.

Los Angeles is requiring shoppers to wear a mask or face covering in stores, but Richardson said Ralph’s was not enforcing the regulation.

Adding to the issue is that African Americans fear wearing masks due to how cops may react. Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker have issued a letter to the Justice Department to provide guidance for police. Republican pundit Candace Owens ranted on social media last week after she was stopped by a cop for not wearing a mask.