The Home Depot, whose corporate headquarters are in Cobb County, announced that the wearing of masks is mandatory in all their stores.

The company has now become one of a growing number of stores requiring masks to help avert the spread of COVID-19, including their competitor Lowes, in addition to Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Albertsons.

The announcement was made in the following company press release:

The Home Depot^® today announced that shoppers will be required to wear masks or facial coverings while inside all U.S. stores, beginning Wednesday, July 22. Small children or those who have a valid medical condition will not be required to wear a mask.

Currently, about 85 percent of Home Depot stores already require facial masks in compliance with local and state regulations, and all Home Depot associates are required to wear masks in stores, distribution centers, and other locations. 

“We appreciate all of our associates who have been working so hard to serve our customers with the essential products they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to thank our customers for their cooperation as we work to protect everyone in our stores,” said Ann-Marie Campbell, executive vice president of stores for The Home Depot.

The Home Depot will remind customers about the new requirement by posting signs at all store entrances and via audio announcements on store PA systems. Social distancing captains and store associates will be available to provide masks to those shoppers who may not have one. For customers who prefer alternative options to shopping in stores, homedepot.com offers the convenience of curbside pickup and home delivery.

In addition to requiring masks, The Home Depot continues to promote social and physical distancing in stores through floor markings, signage, PA announcements, and plexiglass shields to help customers and associates maintain safe distances.

For more information about The Home Depot’s response to Covid-19 and safety measures in stores, visit https://corporate.homedepot.com.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,293 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.