Springfield no longer enforcing mask mandate, store policies start changing for vaccinated

May 16—The city of Springfield is no longer enforcing its mask mandate.

While the local mandate has not officially been repealed yet, in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new masking guidelines announced Thursday, local fines will no longer be issued to those not wearing masks.

Even though the CDC's guidelines say those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or physically distance, the city is still suggesting people continue to do both.

"The City of Springfield encourages anyone who has NOT received his or her COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible," the city wrote in official statement issued Friday. "Right now, with businesses serving the public, there is no way for them to know who has received their vaccination and who has not. This makes it difficult to keep businesses and their employees' safe while serving the public.

"That is why we respectfully recommend people to continue to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, and keep social distance."

However, a few national businesses with Springfield locations have already updated their mask policies to reflect the new CDC guidelines.

Beginning Tuesday, Walmart and Sam's Club will no longer require vaccinated shoppers and employees to wear masks in stores outside of municipalities that require it, the retailer announced Friday.

"To be eligible to work without a mask, associates need to answer 'yes' to the vaccination question in the daily health assessment," reads a memo sent to Walmart employees. "If you are not vaccinated, we expect you to answer 'no' and to continue to wear a face covering. Integrity is one of our core values, and we trust that associates will respect that principle when answering."

The memo — which says employees will get a $75 bonus for providing proof they are vaccinated — does not detail a method for ensuring customers without masks are fully vaccinated.

Beginning Monday, masks will also be optional at Starbucks for those who are vaccinated, according to the coffeehouse chain's website, which notes that its updated mask policy applies to all locations, "unless local regulations require them by law."

Meijer, Target, CVS and Walgreens are among the stores that, following the latest CDC guidelines, have stated they will continue to require all customers to wear masks for now.

"While we are aware of new CDC guidance, many state or local orders in the Meijer footprint remain in effect regarding masks," the Midwest grocery store chain wrote in an official statement. "In order to help ensure the continued health and safety of all its team members and customers, Meijer continues to require face coverings by anyone entering a Meijer store or Meijer Express station at all locations, except where medical conditions prevent them from wearing one."

With the state entering Gov. JB Pritzker's bridge phase on Friday, capacity limits increased to 60% for offices, retail establishments, gyms, movie theaters, zoos, museums, amusement parks, seated spectator events and conventions. Meanwhile, standing areas in restaurants and bars can now operate at 30% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors.

Fully vaccinated people should still should wear masks in health care settings and on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation, based on the latest CDC guidelines.

The Illinois Department of Public Health sent local health departments across the state a memo Friday, which states "fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any non-healthcare setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

The memo also states, "employees and residents of congregate settings, such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters, should continue to mask."

As part of the governor's Restore Illinois plan, all COVID-19-related restrictions could be lifted as early as June 11.

"Unfortunately, we have not reached Phase 5 full reopening in Illinois, and that is why the city recommends for people to still wear a mask," the city's official statement reads. "Our businesses are not fully re-opened nor has our entire business community returned to in-person work. We ask everyone to please use caution and keep the health and safety of others in mind, because we want to continue to move forward together."

Contact Natalie Pierre at npierre@gannett.com or on Twitter @NataliePierre_.

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