Target Drops Mask Requirement

Target Corp. is removing its face mask requirement for team members and customers in-stores as local laws permit.

In an update to its COVID-19 FAQ page on Feb. 21, the Minneapolis-based retailer said it's making the change as new cases of COVID-19 decline across the country. Target will continue to "follow all state and local COVID-19 safety regulations and encourage our team members and guests to consult the latest public health guidance, get vaccinated and make decisions to keep themselves and their families safe," the company stated.

As it did last May, when the company first scrapped its mask requirement in light of updated CDC guidance (before mandating masks again in August amid the delta-fueled surge in new COVID cases), Target is following in Walmart's footsteps in revising its mask policy. Walmart Inc. dropped its mask requirement for customers and fully vaccinated employees on Feb. 11, effective immediately at Walmart and Sam's Club stores nationwide. Target's nixing of its mask mandate applies to all team members; the company made no distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated workers.

Target similarly never issued a vaccination requirement for its corporate staff as Walmart did back in July; the company was working toward meeting the federal vaccine-or-test mandate for large employers—final details of which were released in November—before the Supreme Court dealt a final blow to OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard in January.

"The health and safety of our guests and team members have been Target's top priority throughout the pandemic," the retailer stated, noting that it is continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccinations at nearly all of the 1,700 Target locations that have an in-store CVS Pharmacy. Most in-store CVS sites also are distributing free N95 masks upon request while supplies last.