Wegmans Under Fire After Failing To Enforce Mask Mandate Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Supermarket chain Wegmans does not plan to fully comply with the mask mandate in New York, prompting a backlash from Twitter users.

Wegmans began trending after a reporter from the Auburn Citizen noted a change in Wegman’s “Customer Face Covering Mandates” section.

The latest update revealed that the grocery stores would try to make customers wear masks while shopping, but they could not promise a “99% compliance with mask mandates” for all customers.

“Short of refusing entrance to our stores, we are doing everything we can to educate our customers and stress the importance of voluntary compliance to keep themselves and everyone around them safe,” the statement read.

“Anyone who enters our stores without a mask is approached by one of our people and offered a free mask. Through ongoing monitoring, we continue to see 99% compliance with the mask mandates from our customers. While we would love for that to be 100%, we have to balance that 1% with the risks of asking our employees to confront unmasked customers.”

However, some customers thought the update change was unacceptable.

“SHAME on Wegmans for failing to comply with enforcing mask wearing in their stores to stop the spread of #COVID19,” one comment read.

Another tweet read, “Very disappointed to read about Wegmans refusing to comply with masks in their stores. Not only are they failing their customers and employees, they’re failing AMERICA! #COVID19.”

Meanwhile, one Twitter user threatened to get their groceries elsewhere if Wegmans doesn’t make some changes.

“Hey @Wegmans we love you but why won’t you strictly enforce your own mask policy? If these stories continue, we’ll go to Dash’s or Tops. Seriously,” the tweet read.

The updated policy was later shared on Wegmans’ official Twitter account.

Wegmans has 104 locations along the East Coast.