SLO County grocery stores urge shoppers to wear masks. And at one spot, it’s required
Most grocery stores in San Luis Obispo County are strongly recommending that customers wear masks when they shop. And at least one store will turn you away if you don’t.
A survey of 10 local grocery stores revealed that most have similar approaches about customers use of masks.
Most strongly encourage shoppers to wear face coverings to help stop the spread of coronavirus, but those who don’t won’t be asked to leave.
Each store contacted requires employees to wear masks while on the job.
Many stores also have limits as to how many customers they’re letting in at a time — ranging from 25 at Trader Joe’s in SLO and Templeton 231 at Albertsons in Paso Robles.
That’s to help maintain social distancing precautions as the number of COVID-19 cases in SLO County reached 125 Thursday.
Albertsons in Paso Robles requires face covering
At the Albertsons in Paso Robles, customers are required to wear masks or they are turned away by employees monitoring the doors.
“It’s to protect myself, my wife, my family and anybody else I encounter,” said customer John Timmerman, who spoke to The Tribune Wednesday outside the store. “And hopefully other people respect that we all have a responsibility to each other.”
This week, a store employee has been checking everyone at the Albertsons entry to make sure they had a mask on and directing them to a nearby CVS to buy one if not.
A store employee who answered the phone Thursday confirmed the store is requiring people to wear face coverings to enter.
Richard Thiel said that he and his wife, Donna, have been wearing masks for weeks, but it wasn’t until recently that almost all other shoppers started doing the same.
“I definitely think they’re needed, and I wear gloves too,” Richard Thiel said.
At Vons stores in SLO and in Atascadero, like many other grocery businesses countywide, people are being strongly encouraged to wear masks, but they won’t be blocked from entering without one. And employees must wear them while working.
“We are not enforcing a mask at this time, however things are changing hourly,” said Tim Krauk, manager of Vons in SLO. “We’re strongly encouraging everyone who enters our store to be wearing a mask.”
No SLO County order on masks for businesses
Michelle Shoresman, a county spokesperson, said Public Health officials haven’t given specific direction to businesses on requiring masks, though they list a number of general recommendations for public safety.
“Businesses may choose to put in their own preventative measures to protect customers and employees,” Shoresman said. “One important thing to remember is that face coverings should not take the place of physical distancing or any other measure commonly used to prevent transmission.”
The idea of wearing a mask to the store is starting to catch on in SLO County communities, though some people are less sure of the need than others.
“When there’s an area where there’s a lot of people, I think it’s necessary, but we’ve been getting a lot of varying information from state government and national government,” said Elizabeth Reed outside the Apple store in downtown San Luis Obispo. “As long as you stay away (and social distance), I think it achieves the same thing.”
Stony Humphries, standing outside Vons in Atascadero, said that he was about to go into the store without a mask, after forgetting to bring his. Humphries went back to his car to retrieve one, saying he feels guilty walking into a store without a mask.
“We may be more worried about this than we need to be,” Humphries said. “But I don’t have a family member who died, and in that case, I’m sure things would be totally different.”
Raphael Ramos said outside Vons in Atascadero that protective wear is part of his routine, and he thinks gloves and masks are “a great idea.”
A look at SLO County grocery store mask policies
Here’s a look at how local stores policies vary on whether shoppers should wear masks (all of the stores’ employees must wear masks):
▪ Whole Foods in San Luis Obispo: As of now, shoppers who enter aren’t required to wear masks, but it’s advised.
▪ Cal Fresh in SLO: Customers aren’t required to wear mask, but the store limits 50 people at a time.
▪ Trader Joe’s in SLO and Templeton): Customers aren’t required to wear masks, but no more than 25 can be in the store at a time.
▪ Albertsons in Paso Robles: Shoppers must wear masks and the store limit is 231, though they don’t normally have a line, a store representative said.
▪ Albertsons in Morro Bay: The store is asking that people wear masks, but may allow someone in who doesn’t have one. The customer limit is 150.
▪ Ralph’s in Los Osos: The store is asking people to wear a mask but not requiring it. It has no limits on how many can enter.
▪ Vons in SLO: Masks are highly suggested, and the store limits capacity to about 100 customers.
▪ Vons in Atascadero: The store is urging customers to wear a mask and has a sign saying they’re required, but it isn’t turning people way if they don’t wear one.
▪ Vons in Grover Beach: The store also is highly encouraging masks, and even a scarf or bandana will suffice, a store official said.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the location of Ralph’s in Los Osos.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
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