A man selects toys at a Walmart supercenter in New York, the United States, May 30, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
The world's largest retailer Walmart on Wednesday announced that Walmart and Sam's Club shoppers in the United States will be required to wear face coverings starting July 20.
The mandate came as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases spiked in communities across the country recently.
According to the Walmart announcement, about 65 percent of more than 5,000 Walmart stores and clubs are located in the areas where there is some form of government mandate on face covering.
"To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols," said the announcement.
In addition to posting clear signs at the front of stores, Walmart has created the role of Health Ambassador and will station them near the entrance to remind those without a mask, said the company, adding that "to help ensure consistency with this new process, all stores will have a single entrance."
At Sam's Club outlets, associates at the entrance will follow the same process with members, the announcement said. "Complimentary masks will be provided if the member doesn't have one. Or members can purchase masks in the club."
Opening its first store in 1962 in the U.S. state of Arkansas, Walmart has grown over the past decades into the largest retailer in the world, with around 11,500 stores worldwide and fiscal year 2020 revenue of 524 billion U.S. dollars, according to the company's website.
