(Reuters) - Grocery giant Kroger Co is in talks to merge with smaller rival Albertsons Companies Inc, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, in what wou.
Emily DeLetter and Canton Repository staff
Gannett Ohio
Joining Target, Walmart, CVS, Costco, Starbucks and other businesses, Kroger and Giant Eagle announced they no longer will require masks for fully vaccinated customers.
In new guidance issued Wednesday, Kroger said fully vaccinated customers and most fully vaccinated employees do not have to weak masks in its facilities, including stores, distribution centers, plants and offices unless otherwise required by state or local jurisdictions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed COVID-19 guidelines May 13, recommending that fully vaccinated individuals can safely stop wearing masks inside most locations.
Non-vaccinated employees and customers still will be required to wear a mask, the Cincinnati-based supermarket giant said. The new guidelines start Thursday.
Kroger revises mask mandate for fully vaccinated customers, employees cincinnati.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cincinnati.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Target
According to its website, Target will continue to require all COVID-19 safety measures in all stores, including masks and social distancing, while the store reviews and evaluates the guidance from the CDC for employees and shoppers.
Trader Joe s
Trader Joe s website includes a with a statement encouraging customers to follow guidance health officials, including “as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping.”
Store employees will continue to have wellness checks and be screened for COVID-19.
Meijer
Masks or face coverings will still be required in stores, according to a statement from Meijer.