Harris Teeter will require shoppers to wear masks starting July 22. They join a growing list of businesses who are trying to help reduce the spread of the virus by issuing mask mandates.
For those shoppers who can not wear a mask, Harris Teeter suggests a face shield, facial covering or their pick-up or delivery options.
A statement from the company issued on July 16 indicates:
With the increase in COVID-19 cases, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus.
Harris Teeter’s most urgent priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to provide a safe environment for our valued associates and shoppers while meeting our commitments to our communities to provide open stores, online shopping and an efficiently operating supply chain so that our communities have access to food and essentials.
As an employer, grocery provider and community partner, we have a responsibility to help keep our associates, customers and communities safe. According to the CDC, wearing a facial covering, combined with physical distancing and frequent handwashing, has been scientifically proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Starting July 22, we will require all shoppers to wear a mask when visiting our stores, joining our associates who continue to wear masks. We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country.
We respect and acknowledge that some shoppers, due to medical reasons, may not be able to wear a mask (small children are exempt). We encourage those shoppers to consider an alternative option like a face shield or facial covering. If they’re unable to wear a mask or an alternative design, our expertly trained associates will be happy to shop for them through our ExpressLane Online Shopping service, or they may choose to take advantage of delivery options where available.
We thank our valued associates and shoppers for partnering with us to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Harris Teeter is one of many grocery and retail stores that have announced mask requirements in the last week including
Publix, Starbucks, Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kohl's, Best Buy and more.
Although North Carolina has a mask mandate, some stores have not enforced it consistently. As the number of virus cases continues to increase throughout the country, these new corporate policies will make it more challenging for shoppers without a face covering to shop in their stores.
