Target, CVS, Starbucks join stores dropping mask rules for vaccinated
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota -- Target, CVS Pharmacy and Starbucks are joining the list of businesses that say fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in their stores, following the Centers for Disease Control's recent recommendation.
The businesses say their policies only change if local regulations allow it.
In a statement Monday, a Target spokesperson said, "The health and safety of our guests and team members have been Target's top priority throughout the pandemic, and we've closely and consistently followed the CDC's recommendations over time. 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."
Target said face coverings will be "strongly recommended" for guests and employees who are not fully vaccinated, and the spokesperson added that stores will continue their other safety and cleaning measures.
As of Monday, Starbucks said it had also made facial coverings optional for vaccinated customers.
"Facial coverings will be optional for vaccinated customers beginning Monday, May 17, unless local regulations require them by law," the company announced on its website. However, its restrooms will continue to remain closed to customers in locations where café seating is unavailable.
CVS also updated its mask policy on Monday, posting on its website that "customers who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings inside of our stores, unless it is mandated by state or local regulations."
"Customers who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue wearing face coverings, and employees are required to do so while at work. Health, safety and science will continue to drive our decision-making process," the company's update online explains.
Target, Starbucks and CVS did not indicate that they plan to ask for any proof of vaccination.
A person is considered fully vaccinated if it has been two weeks since their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot.
The CDC last eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in many indoor settings.
The guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes and other forms of public transportation, hospitals and healthcare settings, or in areas where governments require masks. The CDC also said people will still need to follow workplace and local businesses' mask guidance.
