By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — Despite the end of the State of Alabama's mask mandate, several major retailers are opting to continue mask requirements for customers and staff inside their stores.

Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, will keep its current COVID-19 measures in place. Other major retailers that will still require face coverings include: Aldi, Home Depot, Lowes, Publix, Starbucks, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Whole Foods, among others.

In a statement, Walmart representatives said, "We serve millions of Americans every week and believe our policy of requiring associates and customers to wear masks in our stores has helped protect them during the pandemic, and we’re not lifting those measures at this time...we will continue to do so, keeping CDC guidance and local COVID statistics in mind." 

The State of Alabama is currently under a "Safer Apart" health order, which does not require masks, instead "strongly encouraging" them and leaving it up to each citizen to exercise "personal responsibility." 

“Masks will no longer be mandated statewide, but individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people,” the order states.