Target to require staff to wear masks in high Covid-19 counties

Target Corp. said on Monday it would require workers to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status in counties deemed to be at high risk of Covid-19 transmission, reflecting policies implemented by other companies last week as a result new directives on the wearing of masks by American officials.

Many retailers are taking new steps to follow changing federal health guidelines as Covid-19 cases surge in the United States, but halt ahead of action taken last year when they imposed rules national masks when vaccines were not available. About half of the American population is fully vaccinated.

Like rival Walmart Inc., Target has said it will encourage, but not require, all shoppers to wear masks in high-risk areas. Target said workers and buyers outside high-risk areas will continue to be able to drop off masks if they are vaccinated, reflecting competitors’ new mask policies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week that vaccinated people resume wearing masks in certain indoor spaces, reversing its previous guidelines. The CDC said on Friday that those vaccinated could spread the Delta variant.

Last week, Walt Disney Co. said it would require customers to wear masks inside its US theme parks. Apple Inc. has also required shoppers and employees to wear face masks in about half of its stores.