Major Retailers Requiring Masks In Joliet: See The List

JOLIET, IL — As coronavirus cases and hospitalizations spike throughout the United States, many retailers in Joliet and other cities are re-implementing mask mandates to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

New mask requirements come as the highly contagious delta variant continues to sweep across the nation. The variant, which originated in India, now accounts for more than 93 percent of all new cases in the United States, according to data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many retailers attribute revised mandates to the CDC's new mask guidance, which recommends all vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks in public indoor settings or when in areas with "substantial" or "high" transmission; however, most stop short of requiring fully vaccinated customers to wear face coverings.

The CDC defines "substantial" transmission as 50 to 99.99 cases per 100,000 people over seven days, while "high" transmission is defined as more than 100 cases per 100,000 during that span.

Here's a look at which retailers in Joliet now require masks and who should wear them, according to a list compiled by AARP and various news outlets:

ALDI, 3080 Hennepin Dr.; 2601 W Jefferson St.
Who Has To Mask Up: Face coverings are required for unvaccinated customers and employees, and optional for vaccinated customers.

AT&T, Louis Joliet Mall (3340 Mall Loop Dr. Suite 1254); 1728 W Jefferson St.
Who Has To Mask Up: Employees, customers and visitors are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Louis Joliet Mall (2850 Plainfield Rd.)
Who Has To Mask Up: A mask mandate remains in place for shoppers and employees but exempts fully vaccinated customers "in U.S. locations where permitted by local order or law."

CVS, 809 Plainfield Rd.; 3200 Caton Farm Rd.; 2375 Drauden Rd.
Who Has To Mask Up: Face coverings are required for employees and customers who are not fully vaccinated, and optional for those who are.

Home Depot, 3001 Plainfield Rd.
Who Has To Mask Up: The retailer issued a mask requirement for "all associates, contractors and vendors" at its U.S. stores. All customers will be asked to wear masks.

McDonald's, 1515 West Jefferson Avenue; 4280 W Jefferson St.; 508 E Cass St.; 2885 Plainfield Rd.; 1421 Riverboat Center Dr.; 1555 N Broadway St.; 2212 Essington Rd.; 2220 Illinois Route 59
Who Has To Mask Up: McDonald's has mandated that all customers and employees wear masks at locations in areas with high or substantial rates of COVID-19 transmission.

Menards, 2524 W Jefferson St.
Who Has To Mask Up: Masks are optional for fully vaccinated customers and required for unvaccinated customers.

Starbucks, 2518 W Jefferson St.; 1536 Illinois Route 59
Who Has To Mask Up: Starbucks "strongly recommends" customers wear facial coverings regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required where mandated by local law or regulation. Starting Aug. 5, all store partners must wear face coverings.

Target, 2701 Plainfield Rd.
Who Has To Mask Up: Target requires face coverings for all team members and strongly recommends face coverings for all customers in areas with a substantial or high risk of transmission.

Verizon, Louis Joliet Mall (3330 Mall Loop Dr.)
Who Has To Mask Up: The company says masks "may be required" at Verizon locations and that its outlets follow "CDC guidelines and legal requirements."

Walgreens, 1801 Ingalls Ave.; 2101 W Jefferson St.; 1514 Essington Rd.; 358 E Cass St.; 1163 W Jefferson St.
Who Has To Mask Up: Employees regardless of vaccination status are required to mask up. Customers and employees who are not vaccinated are asked to continue wearing masks.

Walmart, 2424 W Jefferson St.
Who Has To Mask Up: All employees must wear face coverings regardless of vaccination status. Masks are encouraged for fully vaccinated customers and required for those unvaccinated.