Several Texas Busineses Establishments Will Still Require Masks Despite the No Mask Mandate

By Joshua Summers First Posted: Mar 04, 2021 08:41 PM EST

Despite the frowning and criticism of President Joe Biden against the no mask mandate of Texas, the local government of the state is still pushing through with their plans to allow their people not to wear a mask. But with the push of the Texas government in being 100% open once again, several businesses in the state are still going to require the wearing of a mask.

Experts have repeatedly highlighted that masks mitigate the spread and contraction of every individual from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. But the data of Texas that shows a significant decrease in the daily positive cases of COVID-19, hospitalization, and even mortality rate convinced the local government to implement the no mask mandate.

ALSO READ: No Mask Texas: Biden Blasts Abbott for 'Neanderthal Thinking' and 'Big Mistake' in Ending Mask Mandate

Texas Business

Known companies and brands will not dive into the no mask mandate, as the Texas government gave them the free will to enforce safety precautions as they see fit. Starbucks is one of the business establishments that will continue to require their customers' facemask. Yahoo! Finance mentioned a spokesperson of the coffee giant said that "Starbucks will continue to require all partners and customers to wear a mask while inside our stores - continuing with the requirement we instituted in July 2020," adding that the decision is based on the guidance from the CDC as well as other public health experts. The brand furthered that their company "will continue to make decision rooted in facts and science" as they live up to their commitment to "meeting or exceeding our public health mandate."

The Denver Channel mentioned a spokesperson from Target saying that their company is still requiring their employees and guests with masks with an exception for young children, or adults with an underlying condition. The spokesperson added that they are still going to require people who are already vaccinated to wear their masks and follow the social distancing protocols.

USA Today mentioned Dr. David Abrams, a professor of social and behavioral science from New York University, who highlighted that the right of retail stores to ask customers to leave if they are not wearing mask.

"This is a life-and-death issue. Masks, physical distance, and hand-washing are the three things we have to reduce the spread of the virus in the absence of a vaccine," Dr. Abrams said.

Other businesses require masks

Apart from Target and Starbucks, more business establishments are still requiring masks, despite the permission of the Texan government not to wear masks. According to the Denver Channel, the country's largest grocery chain, Krogers will require to wear masks until all of their frontline grocery associates will be inoculated by the COVID-19 vaccine. CVS will also join in as they said in a statement that they will be encouraging the customers without masks to wear one because they help protect themselves and those around them when they wear their masks.

USA Today added that other Texas businesses like Kohl's, Ulta, Walgreens pharmacies, Best Buy, and Macy's will also join the movement and require masks to their customers despite the no mask mandate of the State.