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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – New concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic are growing in western Pennsylvania and Giant Eagle is taking action to help slow the spread of the virus.
Giant Eagle announced Monday that its employees will again be required to wear masks whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The company will also ask customers to resume wearing masks in stores.
“For our team members, it’s about protecting each other and our guests,” said Giant Eagle spokesperson Dan Donovan.
In a statement, the company says it has noticed the increase in positive cases of COVID-19 and is therefore reinstating a mask policy, adding that safety is a top priority.
“We really saw a need, an opportunity and a responsibility for Giant Eagle to take back a leadership position and enforce the use of masks and keep our people safe,” said Donovan.
From tomorrow, workers will have to wear a face covering. Starting Friday, shoppers will be strongly encouraged to wear a face covering.
(Photo credit: KDKA)
At McIntyre Square Giant Eagle in the North Hills on Tuesday, it was a sign of the times. Some people had masks on others not.
“I will never wear a mask again,” Lori Walker said before entering.
All of this comes as several counties in the region have been designated with a “substantial” level of spread of COVID-19, which means the CDC recommends that individuals wear masks inside buildings, regardless of the condition. vaccination status.
As of Tuesday night, counties that fall under the “substantial” category in our area include Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland, Indiana and Somerset.
“It seemed strange to have cases increasing and restrictions decreasing at the same time,” Jeannine Fontaine said after shopping.
(Photo credit: KDKA)
Giant Eagle says it will increase resources to educate employees about the vaccination over the next week.
“It just looks like he’s determined to stay. The virus has its own ideas, ”Fontaine said.
Some clients Amy Wadas from KDKA spoke to said they were ok with the changes.
“It depends on everyone, but at this point I would like people to be more careful,” said client Romina Quillia.
“I believe it’s science and we have to do it,” Phil Buchwalter said.
WATCH: Reports from KDKA’s Chris Hoffman
It’s a nationwide trend. The Home Depot said it would not require employees to wear a mask, regardless of their immunization status, while only requiring customers to wear one. Target now requires face masks for employees in counties where the spread of COVID-19 is significant to high. Guests will be strongly recommended to wear one.
“Two of my kids had it. They got worse colds, ”Walker said.
“It really doesn’t matter. People made a big deal out of masks. They really aren’t a big deal, ”Fontaine said.
Another local grocery chain, Kuhn’s Market, said it asks customers to wear one, but it is not mandatory.
The substantial spread in Allegheny County is one of the reasons the owner of Mon Aimee Chocolat in the Strip District decided on Sunday to re-enforce mandatory face masks for employees and customers.
“The Strip is getting busier and busier and the numbers are going up,” said owner Amy Rosenfield. “It’s no fun wearing them, especially when unloading a 4,000 pound truckload of chocolate, but at the same time, it’s not that hard to wear masks.”
Other local retailers like Yinzers have said they plan to issue a mask warrant by the end of the week, so they are preparing now.
“We just ordered a substantial amount of masks just to cover ourselves up,” said Yinzers owner Jim Coen.
Health officials attribute the increase in cases to the most contagious delta variant and unvaccinated Americans.
“If you get sick with the Delta variant, we estimate that you could infect around five other unvaccinated people – more than twice as many as the original strain,” said Dr. Rochelle Walesnky, director of the CDC.
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