Starting today, Schnuck Markets will no longer require face masks at the majority of its stores.
The updated policy — applying to shoppers, associates and vendor partners — reflects new guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Feb. 25, Schnucks said Monday. The St. Louis-based grocer noted that the change aligns with the CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Level assessment tool.
“Customers, teammates and vendors who are not under a government mask mandate and not in a county identified as high risk according to the current CDC Community Level assessment tool will no longer be required to wear masks,” Mason Keller, vice president of asset protection at Schnuck Markets, said in a statement. “We welcome anyone to continue to wear a mask based on their personal comfort level, and we will continue to offer complimentary masks at all of our locations.”
Schnucks cited 15 stores where masks remain under a government mandate or are strongly recommended for shoppers due to local infection rates.
Associates, customers and vendors will be required to wear a mask under current mandates at the following St. Louis city Schnucks supermarkets: Arsenal (5055 Arsenal St.), City Plaza (3431 Union Blvd.), Downtown (315 N. 9th St.), Gravois (7450 Hampton Ave.), Hampton Village (60 Hampton Village Plaza), Lindell (4171 Lindell Blvd.), Loughborough (1020 Loughborough Ave.) and South City (3430 South Grand Ave.)
Meanwhile, Schnucks is recommending that customers of five stores in Evansville, Ind. (600 East Boonville-New Harmony Rd., 3700 First Ave., 4500 West Lloyd Expwy., 3501 N. Green River Rd. and 5000 Washington Ave.), and its stores at 8301 Bell Oaks Dr., in Newburgh, Ind. and 915 West Main St., Carbondale, Ill., continue to wear masks because the CDC assessment tool identifies those communities as having a high COVID-19 risk level. Staff and vendors will still be required to wear masks at those locations.
Schnucks noted that customers seeking contactless shopping options can order online through its Schnucks Delivers service for home delivery or curbside pickup, where available. Overall, the grocer operates 111 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and has 12,000 employees.
