Walmart and Sam's Club to require masks nationwide starting July 20 as COVID-19 cases rise - USA TODAY

Kelly Tyko USA TODAY

Published 11:16 AM EDT Jul 15, 2020

Walmart and Sam's Club will start requiring masks at stores and clubs nationwide starting Monday, July 20, the company announced Wednesday.

"We know some people have differing opinions on this topic. We also recognize the role we can play to help protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials like the CDC," the retailers' chief operating officers said in a blog post Wednesday.

The move comes two days after Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said a mask mandate in stores nationwide was "obviously something that's on our minds."

Best Buy and Starbucks started requiring consumers nationwide wear masks Wednesday.

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More companies are making face coverings a requirement as viral videos of shoppers' tirades and confrontations over being asked to wear them during the coronavirus pandemic erupt.The coronavirus causes the disease COVID-19.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents Walmart, Target, Best Buy and other major chains, is asking governors to mandate masks across the nation and says different local mandates have created confusion leading to conflicts between customers and store employees.

In the blog post written by Dacona Smith, Walmart U.S. chief operating officer, and Lance de la Rosa, Sam's Club chief operating officer, the company says the requirement will bring consistency across stores and clubs. Currently about 65% of the company's more than 5,000 stores and clubs require masks.

Starting on July 20, Smith and de la Rosa wrote the company will give stores "time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols."

Walmart has created a "Health Ambassador" role and the ambassadors will be near store entrances "to remind those without a mask of our new requirements."

"The ambassadors, identifiable by their black polo shirts, will work with customers who show up at a store without a face covering to try and find a solution," Smith and de la Rosa wrote. "We are currently considering different solutions for customers when this requirement takes effect on July 20."

At Sam’s Clubs, associates will remind members "of our requirement to wear a face covering when shopping with us" and will provide members without masks complimentary masks.

"We know it may not be possible for everyone to wear a face covering. Our associates will be trained on those exceptions to help reduce friction for the shopper and make the process as easy as possible for everyone," the company said.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

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