Metro Market, Pick 'n Save stores to drop mask mandate

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- More stores are altering their mask policies as more people get vaccinated against COVID.

Grocery stores are some of the latest to ease their mask rules.

Starting Thursday, May 20, Kroger stores across the country will drop the face mask requirement for customers and employees who are fully vaccinated. Kroger owns the Pick 'N Save and Metro Market brands in town.

"It's going to be strange to see people's faces, to identify their facial expressions," said Patty Yunk.

She plans to keep wearing her mask in crowded places like the supermarket, even though she's fully vaccinated.

"The concern I have is not for people who are vaccinated, but people who are not vaccinated and maybe causing some sort of compromise of how far we've come," said Yunk.

Unvaccinated customers and employees of Kroger store are still supposed to mask up.

"We're not going to become the vaccine police. Certainly for our associates, we have offered a $100 one-time payment for proof of full vaccination," said Roundy's Public Affairs Vice President James Hyland.

There are still some exceptions, though. Customers at the Sendik's store in Milwaukee as well as the Metro Market in the city will still need to wear a mask until June 1, when the city order expires.

"Our Dane County stores up near Madison, that's June 2nd," said Hyland.

Policies vary company to company.

El Rey said employees must still wear masks for now. Aldi's customers who are fully vaccinated can stop wearing masks, vaccinated employees can stop wearing them on the 26th.

Aldi's stores in Milwaukee have to keep the mask mandate in place until the city health order expires June 1.