In late May, Chipotle, Starbucks, CVS, and Target announced that they won’t require fully vaccinated customers to wear masks inside stores, except when required by law. The policy changes come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on mask wearing. Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe’s are also allowing customers to shop without mask if they are fully vaccinated. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson.
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Masking is a hot topic and one that small business owners need to pay attention to. In addition to protecting the safety of your workers and shoppers, there are some state laws you must adhere to during this time. However, creative entrepreneurs can comply easily, letting their target audience know they care about their wellbeing. Here’s up-to-date information as of June 2021.
The AARP has compiled a comprehensive list of mask mandates to date. As reopening guidelines are evolving rapidly, please insure you have the correct information.
For example, New York ended face-covering requirements for fully vaccinated people May 19. Masks are still mandated for unvaccinated people over age 2 when in a public place. Businesses and venues may require proof of vaccination to meet remaining mask or social distancing directives. Meanwhile in Massachusetts, masks are required for people over age 5 in any indoor public space and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible.
There are many types of face masks that can keep you safe from the coronavirus. The general public is encouraged to wear reusable cloth masks to limit the spread of the virus.
According to the CDC, cloth Masks can be made from a variety of fabrics, and many types of cloth masks are available.
Look for:
Do NOT wear:
Disposable face masks (single use face masks) are produced from polymers such as polyester They consist of three layers and are widely available.
Look for:
Do NOT wear:
KN95 masks are a type of filtering facepiece respirator that are commonly made in China and similar to N95 masks commonly used in the United States.
Look for:
Do NOT wear:
BE AWARE: About 60% KN95 masks in the United States are counterfeit (fake) and DO NOT meet NIOSH requirements.
Masks are now recognized as one of the most effective available tools to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This intervention decreases transmission of the coronavirus and is a readily scalable measure to ensure the public's health.
Can you require employees to mask up? In short, yes. You may mandate wearing facemasks in the workplace. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued guidelines that indicate an employer may require employees to wear a face mask to reduce transmission. Note that mandates may vary state-to-state. For example, in California, employees must wear masks in specified high-risk situations, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site.
Businesses have the right and authority to demand that customers wear masks on their property, according to law enforcement expert Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent and current ABC News contributor. Moreover, failing to abide by a businesses' mask requirement could result in criminal trespass charges. Read the rules and if you have any questions regarding compliance, check with your local government authorities.
Make sure your vendors and others who frequent your business are following your policy. Those dropping off supplies should be held to the same standards as you, your employees, and your customers.
Once you’re comfortable with your business’ mask policy, the next step is to let your employees, current customers, and potential customers know that you take safety seriously.
There are lots of ways to spread the word about your commitment to safe practices. You’ll elevate your profile in the community, encourage current customers to visit, and attract new shoppers. Here are easy ways to spread the word:
Visit the SmartBiz Small Business Blog regularly for ideas and strategies to help you rebuild safely. Some helpful articles include:
How to Rebuild During the 2021 Pandemic: Marketing, employee management, and safety are the focus of this comprehensive guide.
Solving Small Business Cash Flow Problems During Covid: Here are the reasons you should pay attention to your cash flow to strengthen your business during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Keep Your Business Safe From Coronavirus Scams: Don’t fall for these charity or cybersecurity scams making the rounds in 2021.