Hy-Vee to hand out free masks to customers
July 21, 2020
Straddling the debate over retailers requiring shoppers to wear masks, Hy-Vee will begin giving them for free to customers as they enter its stores but has not issued a requirement that they be worn.
The “Mask It Up To Shut COVID Down. It’s Your Choice.” initiative will start July 27. The Iowa-based grocery store chain calls it an effort to protect its customers and employees from COVID-19 and to help support the CDC’s recommendation to wear masks in public.
Hy-Vee said it will distribute more than 3 million free masks.
Starting July 27, employees will be stationed at the front doors of all stores to hand out masks to customers who are not wearing one. Customers also will see signage, employee attire and other reminders around the store about the educational campaign.
Hy-Vee employees have been wearing masks since nearly the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said.
