OHIO — The highly infectious delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading throughout the U.S. and Ohio, spurring a surge in new cases and hospitalizations. In response, many companies are issuing new mask policies for staff or customers.
The majority of Ohioans should be wearing masks while indoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week. Of Ohio's 88 counties, 64 have substantial or high rates of COVID-19 spread. However, a statewide mask mandate is unlikely anytime soon.
Ohio legislators passed a bill this year that made it extremely difficult for the Ohio Department of Health or Gov. Mike DeWine to issue statewide mandates requiring either mask wearing or vaccines. However, individual companies can require both, and school systems can require masking indoors.
We're tracking where Ohioans will need to wear a mask and where they'll need a vaccine to work. Check out the list below and tell us in the comments if you know of other places requiring either masks or vaccines.
ALDI
Who Has To Mask Up: Face coverings are required for unvaccinated customers and employees, and optional for vaccinated customers.
Apple
Who Has To Mask Up: Citing a company memo to employees, Bloomberg reported that Apple reinstituted a mask requirement for shoppers and staff at most of its U.S. retail outlets.
AT&T
Who Has To Mask Up: Employees, customers and visitors are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Who Has To Mask Up: A mask mandate remains in place for shoppers and employees but exempts fully vaccinated customers "in U.S. locations where permitted by local order or law."
BJ’s Wholesale
Who Has To Mask Up: While masks are optional for fully vaccinated customers and employees, unvaccinated persons and all shoppers and staff in BJ’s optical departments are required to wear masks.
CVS
Who Has To Mask Up: Face coverings are required for employees and customers who are not fully vaccinated, and optional for those who are.
Lowe’s
Who Has To Mask Up: Lowe’s employees are required to wear masks at all locations. Meanwhile, customers are encouraged to also wear masks.
Menards
Who Has To Mask Up: Masks are optional for fully vaccinated customers and required for unvaccinated customers.
Nordstrom
Who Has To Mask Up: The retailer requires face masks where mandated and for those who aren't vaccinated.
Publix
Who Has To Mask Up: All employees are required to wear face coverings. Masks are optional for vaccinated customers.
Starbucks
Who Has To Mask Up: Starbucks “strongly recommends” customers wear facial coverings regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required where mandated by local law or regulation. Starting Aug. 5, all store partners must wear face coverings.
Verizon
Who Has To Mask Up: The company says masks "may be required" at Verizon locations and that its outlets follow "CDC guidelines and legal requirements.”
Walgreens
Who Has To Mask Up: Employees regardless of vaccination status are required to mask up. Customers and employees who are not vaccinated are asked to continue wearing masks.
Whole Foods
Who Has To Mask Up: Masks are required for unvaccinated customers and employees. Masks are optional for vaccinated customers and employees.
Cuyahoga County
County officials announced that employees and visitors will need to wear masks when visiting any Cuyahoga County building. County Executive Armond Budish urged private companies to adopt similar policies for their businesses.
Kent State University
Everyone must wear a mask while indoors at any campus building, the university announced.
Giant Eagle
One of Ohio's most popular grocery chains is now requiring employees to wear masks while working. Customers are strongly urged to also wear masks while shopping. Read more here.
Central Ohio hospitals
The Columbus-based Ohio State Wexner Medical System, along with other central Ohio hospitals, is mandating all staff and students receive the COVID-19 vaccine, ABC 6 reported. Employees and students have until Oct. 15 to get the first dose of a vaccine.
Ohio Schools
Individual districts will set their own mask policies for the coming school year, though the Ohio Department of Health has strongly recommended unvaccinated students and staff wear masks while in the classroom. Read more here.
Walmart
Employees at stores and facilities in areas with substantial or high rates of spread will be required to wear masks while working indoors. The company is also strongly urging all employees to get vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible.
McDonald's
The fast food giant has mandated both employees and customers wear masks while inside at their restaurants, if they're in an area with substantial or high rates of COVID-19 spread.
Home Depot
All Home Depot employees must wear masks while working, the company announced this week. Customers will be asked to wear masks and complimentary masks will be available at the door for shoppers.
Target
Target Unveils New Mask Policy For Stores Target will again require employees to wear face masks if they're in an area with substantial or high spread, the retail giant announced Monday. The new policy will go into effect Tuesday. Read more here. Read more here.
Kroger
The grocery chain is asking both customers and shoppers to wear masks while inside stores. Employees who received the COVID-19 vaccine will receive a one-time $100 bonus.
The Ohio State University
Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear masks indoors at any facility, regardless of their vaccination status, the university announced. Unvaccinated people must also wear masks outdoors, if social distancing is not possible.
Kohl's
Any Kohl's employees working in an area with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission rates (as defined by the CDC) will need to wear masks whiles working. The retailer recommends shoppers also wear masks while inside stores. Employees are encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine and the company said it will provide resources to help workers get vaccinated.
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