San Antonio-based H-E-B reverses stance, will continue to 'expect shoppers' to wear masks in stores

click to enlarge With Texas' state mandate lifted, H-E-B will now continue to "expect" customers to wear face masks while shopping. - Courtesy H-E-B
Courtesy H-E-B
With Texas' state mandate lifted, H-E-B will now continue to "expect" customers to wear face masks while shopping.
Beloved grocery chain H-E-B this weekend announced that after Texas' statewide mask mandate ends on March 10, its stores will still require shoppers to don face coverings.

Originally, the San Antonio-based chain said customers would be encouraged to wear masks when shopping but that it wouldn't force them to do so. An updated policy on the chain’s website now states, "while statewide policy has changed, our store protocol has not. Mask use at our stores will remain.”

H-E-B’s initial response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift the mask mandate said its decision came down to the number of confrontations employees have faced since the company introduced its own mask rule last spring.

“The ending of mask ordinances puts real pressure on retailers to enforce an emotional topic for many,” the chain’s updated statement reads. “We ask for kindness and understanding from our customers in our expectation of them to wear masks in our stores.”

The grocery chain also said it will provide masks to those who need them.

So many restaurants, so little time. Find out the latest San Antonio dining news with our Flavor Friday Newsletter.

KEEP SA CURRENT!

Since 1986, the SA Current has served as the free, independent voice of San Antonio, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming an SA Current Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today to keep San Antonio Current.

Scroll to read more Flavor articles

Nina Rangel

Nina Rangel uses nearly 20 years of experience in the foodservice industry to tell the stories of movers and shakers in the food scene in San Antonio. As the Food + Nightlife Editor for the San Antonio Current, she showcases her passion for the Alamo City’s culinary community by promoting local flavors, uncovering...

Join SA Current Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.