The announcement from the CDC and then the PA Dept. of Health that people vaccinated against COVID-19 don’t need to wear masks (unless, for the most part, on public transportation) should have been met with many people shedding the face coverings.
But it didn’t.
It seems there’s as much hesitancy to ditch the COVID mask than there allegedly is to get the vaccine.
We checked out all the local supermarkets to see how they reacted to the news that face masks aren’t necessary for the vaccinated. Some have decided to keep their mandatory mask policy in place while others have adjusted with the latest guidance.
Schuylkill County Supermarkets Update Face Mask Policies
Here’s a look at how the local supermarkets are handling the new face mask guidance with regard to their store rules:
GIANT
One store, the GIANT at Cressona Mall, hasn’t decided one way or another on an updated face mask policy. For now, however, face masks are required for all shoppers and employees.
In a statement released to The Canary, public relations manager for The GIANT Company, Ashley Flower, said, “The GIANT Company is aware of the new mask guidance for fully vaccinated people issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are currently reviewing this guidance as we determine next steps. Our current mask policy remains in effect.”
Weis Markets
A customer service representative at Weis Markets corporate HQ told us that the company is updating its rules to match the latest guidance from the CDC and state Health Dept.
Now, while shoppers can ditch the mask if they’ve been vaccinated, they’re still recommending shoppers who haven’t gotten their COVID shot(s) to still wear a face mask inside Weis stores.
The rep told us, “If a vaccinated person feels they don’t want to wear a mask, we’re certainly not going to kick them out.”
Weis employees are still required to wear a face mask inside the stores.
Redner’s Warehouse Markets
At Redner’s stores around Schuylkill County, customers are greeted at a sign on the front doors indicating that they needn’t wear a mask if they’ve been vaccinated against COVID. The stores are still requiring the unvaccinated to wear a mask while shopping.
Every employee working when we last visited was wearing a face mask but we’re unsure if they’re required to do so.
Boyer’s Food Markets
Despite the updated guidance on masks, Boyer’s stores seem to not be budging on the old guidance, at least for now. At the Yorkville (Pottsville) location on Saturday, there were a numbers of brightly colored signs splattered on the front doors indicating that masks are definitely still required.
Walmart
Starting Friday, Walmart stores no longer required face masks on customers who’ve been vaccinated against COVID. Vaccinated store employees will be able to ditch their masks starting on Tuesday, May 18.
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Rich Magnani
May 16, 2021 at 1:36 pm
I don’t wear a mask in these stores, and haven’t since the beginning. No one can make you wear it, and they have no right to ask why you don’t, thanks to HIPPA. This is still America, land of the free. Even the so-called “experts” don’t know if the masks REALLY work.
PTFloridians
May 16, 2021 at 6:52 pm
Here, here!
…well said Rich.
…so sad some are still afraid of Franken- Wolf and his extortion/blackmail racket that he scourged our once-great state with.
Oh, by the way, highest gasoline/diesel tax IN THE COUNTRY and our roads are crumbled, bridges falling apart, sides of the roads have become trash dumps, trees and shrubs dead and laying…what a teerrible filthy wasteland this area has become, and BROKE ta boot, while Dick Wolf fines a small family owned business trying to toe the line and be fair and free in what they do…
Linda H
May 16, 2021 at 2:29 pm
I’ll stick with Redner’s and down in my area, we have Dutchway Farm Mkt. Keep my money local and go to the places that trust their customers to use their brains. I stopped shopping Giant before Covid. Did pop into one about a month ago and remembered why I do not shop there. Too many rules that make no sense!
Canary Commenter
May 16, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Redner’s is a great store. Even during the pandemic madness, they had their shelves mostly full and didn’t treat customers like cattle with the one-way aisles, etc. Very respectful.
Frank
May 16, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Renders allowed their employees to wear patriotic masks last summer near the 4th of July while Weis said patriotic masks were “Too Controversial” and banned their employees from wearing them. I’ve since spent my grocery money at Redners!
Canary Commenter
May 16, 2021 at 6:56 pm
Not sure if that was ever proven to be true about Weis.
Frank
May 17, 2021 at 6:14 am
It absolutely was true. Proof is from actual employees there at the time. And from management, who tried to weasel out of it by saying they have a uniform code that can’t be changed. Which is strange because they let them wear their favorite football team jerseys around the Super Bowl and things like that.
Weis, in response, also had the gall to pretend they were patriotic by saying they donated x number of dollars to homeless veterans. What they say they donated versus their sales for the year would be the same as me giving a homeless vet like $3 and saying that proves I’m patriotic, while not letting anyone wear patriotic clothing in my house around the 4th of July.
It is absolutely true Weis forbade employees from wearing patriotic masks last summer deeming them “too controversial”. This is back when destroying statues and stuff was being glorified by the media.
PTFloridians
May 17, 2021 at 8:40 pm
One might think that the brothers Weis that came to America with a dream and two nickles to rub together, might’ve left a legacy of thankfullness and pride for the land that gave them so much opportunity and wealth…sad and pitiful.
PTFloridians
May 16, 2021 at 8:41 pm
Too bad Weis caved to the politically correct twitchbots in their inner circle…never shop there, ever…