Whole Foods Market Requiring All Customers To Wear Face Masks + At-Risk Shoppers Get Priority Pickup

By Eden | Staff Writer

May 01, 2020 @ 3:00 PM MDT

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Amazon is going one step further to keep customers safe!

If you’re headed to your local Whole Foods Market soon, plan to wear a face mask.

Amazon just announced that all customers will be asked to wear a face mask in Whole Foods Markets stores when they shop. And to make it easier for customers to onlineply with this request, they will be offering disposable face masks at store entrances for anyone who doesn’t have their own.

“We will keep evaluating how to best support our teams and onlinemunities, and will continue rolling out measures to protect the health and safety of every person helping customers get what they need during this difficult time.”

In order to support the most vulnerable during this pandemic, guests 60 years and older, those with disabilities, and those whom the CDC defines as high risk can now shop in-store at Whole Foods Market one hour before it opens to the public.

In addition, the first hour of grocery pickup at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide is now reserved for these high risk customers – just go to amazon.online/wholefoods, select “Pickup,” and begin building your cart. When you are ready to check out, select the first pickup window of the day, which is marked reserved for at-risk customers.

Pickup is currently available at more than 150 Whole Foods Market stores. Find out more information here.

Check out the latest coronavirus updates here!

Join The Discussion

onlinements 42

Alicia May 1, 2020 at 3:19 pm MST

Been impossible to get a pickup for the last month

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ammber May 1, 2020 at 4:01 pm MST

I agree with you on that!

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whatacutielife May 1, 2020 at 3:20 pm MST

That’s a good! Coz’ no matter how careful I am but if the people around me is not then It’s useless. My husband and I were at Sams Club the other day and while we’re waiting in the line people was supposed to step on the 6ft mark but some people don’t care. My husband told the guy that was standing right behind him that we should stay on the markers and he just got mad then look back at the lady next to him then the lady said “oh I don’t care if you stand next to me” Wow! First of all, We don’t know her and she doesn’t know us so why will I trust her the fact that she’s not wearing any protection including the 4 little kids and husband next to her? The whole family!

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Maria May 1, 2020 at 3:45 pm MST

So inconsiderate! I am high risk and live in NY, the epicenter of this terrible virus. I have not been inside a store in almost 2 months because of people like this.

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whatacutielife May 1, 2020 at 8:23 pm MST

Right?! I have GBS and my immune system isn’t that good too. I only go to the store if I really need to so I hope people do the same precaution as I do for the safety of everybody.

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Gramma C May 1, 2020 at 9:47 pm MST

I was at Sam’s today (I only go because of scan & go as I can get out much quicker ) and it was packed! Despite their claim that they are limiting shoppers they are not! I could hardly get around without 3 to 4 people being within 2 feet of me I finally just left without all my items because it was making me nervous and half of the people weren’t wearing masks.

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Kelly May 1, 2020 at 3:52 pm MST

As a nurse, I think this should be put into effect everywhere. I understand that this might not be a popular opinion but what is the harm in wearing a mask?? Wearing a mask isn’t so much for your safety but the safety of others. What if you have the disease but don’t show any signs and end up spreading it to 90 year old granny. Granny probably won’t be so lucky and end up seriously ill. All of this could have been helped by everyone wearing a mask. We have elderly people in the ICU in our hospital that have been here for over 2 weeks. The least we can do is wear a mask to help prevent the spread of this disease.

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Lee Northeim May 1, 2020 at 7:15 pm MST

Well said Kelly! There is no harm in wearing a mask for 30 minutes while you are shopping, no one is asking you to wear it all day long. It is basic kindness/courtesy for your fellow human beings and it scares me that people are being so unkind and uncaring to each other. Thank you for all you do to keep people safe. I also have a doctor and a PA in my family and I appreciate the sacrifice. Just be kind people, this is about an unknown virus, not civil liberties. Calm down everyone

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Mae May 2, 2020 at 8:54 am MST

The thing is people touch their face way more with mask on. I see it every time I go to the store. Itching it pulling it up and down after touching the pin pad. It’s unonlinefortable so they mess with it the whole time. Defeats the purpose.

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Deb May 3, 2020 at 6:45 pm MST

But it defeats the purpose in protecting themselves not you.

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Molly May 1, 2020 at 4:56 pm MST

So if I go, don’t wear a mask due a health condition and I am turned away… That would be discrimination. Not sure how this is legal.

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Doug May 1, 2020 at 5:06 pm MST

They can’t force you to wear a mask if you have a health condition (asthma, etc). Same with airlines, who mentioned that in their release about masks

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MommySpendsLess May 1, 2020 at 7:17 pm MST

I don’t think they can even legally ask you about a medical condition so I don’t see how this is enforceable.
I would like to see them change the language to something like “strongly encourage those who can to do so.” The notice along with providing disposable masks should be enough to get those who are able and willing to wear masks to do so without making those who can’t/for whom they cause anxiety/etc. from feeling like a criminal.
I personally won’t be shopping at Whole Foods until this invasive restriction is removed.

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LeeF May 1, 2020 at 7:41 pm MST

Agreed 100% with you MommySpendsLess!

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Jaci May 1, 2020 at 8:00 pm MST

I can empathize with someone not wanting to wear a mask due to being allergic to mask onlineponents or asthma…but a scarf or a bandana does the job too as long as it’s covering nose/mouth. It’s a small act of kindness for your fellow human beings and can save someone’s life.

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IB May 1, 2020 at 9:09 pm MST

Exactly…no business should mandate a mask. Have them available for people that am want them and leave it at that.

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Qvcnut May 2, 2020 at 4:51 am MST

Or people can just do what the store asks to protect others and their employees.

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Veronika Hortt May 2, 2020 at 7:37 am MST

Molly, it’s not discrimination, it called “ condition of service” and a business has a right to refuse service if that condition is met. I think most businesses make exception for those with medical conditions even tho they technically can’t ask. We are being asked to do the right thing, so instead of throwing out words like “this is discrimination”, why not be a team player and be a part of the solution rather than a problem. If you can’t wear a mask find a solution like asking a family member to go with you. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?

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jlpmom May 1, 2020 at 5:05 pm MST

I think this is a great idea. I will shop at Whole Food more often because of this.

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Maria P May 1, 2020 at 5:28 pm MST

Sad that governement didn’t provide any chance to buy masks. Price gauging everywhere.

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Emily May 2, 2020 at 4:54 pm MST

Maria – do you need a mask? I have been making washable cotton ones to donate and I can send you one in the mail if you are unable to afford one. Send me an email at [email protected]

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Liz May 1, 2020 at 6:06 pm MST

This is great news..i fully agree that all stores everywhere should be requiring to wear masks..however i will not be shopping at WF in solidarity with their workers who are striking. The stores are Whole Foods, Amazon, Instacart, & Target.These onlinepanies are making record profits while making their workers work in unsafe conditions.

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Debby May 1, 2020 at 6:18 pm MST

I was in Whole Foods today, and I didn’t have a mask and nobody said a word to me. Plus they were a lot of other people not wearing masks either. A lot of us are unable to wear masks for medical reasons but I do appreciate all of the “Karensplaining” of information from people on here. I’m pretty sure we are all adults, we’re all Americans and we’re all taxpayers. Please do not be condescending and rude to other people for not believing what you do. You are infringing on peoples rights.

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Marinova May 1, 2020 at 6:35 pm MST

Who is Karen and why is she seemingly disliked? Is this an internet slang term I am not privy to?

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MommySpendsLess May 1, 2020 at 7:20 pm MST

Yes, it is a term that represents a particular stereotypical person. You can Google it for descriptions and examples.

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Cindy May 1, 2020 at 7:16 pm MST

Went out today and saw many many people tugging on and messing with their masks. Hands all over their faces. Half were wearing them under their nose! I don’t think they’re helping much.

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M May 2, 2020 at 9:02 am MST

I agree. See the same thing every time I go out. Even the employees and customers touching their face and moving their mask about.

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silieolme May 1, 2020 at 7:55 pm MST

Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but unless you have a particular mask, with a filter, your everyday run of the mill mask (homemade,etc) is really a false sense of security, right?! Yes, it filters out large particles if you sneeze or cough, but the germs we are concerned about sharing, are not protected by these mask most people are wearing… (I’m asking…?)☺️

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leslieleslieleslie May 1, 2020 at 8:20 pm MST

An asymptomatic person has the virus but displays no symptoms so they risk transmitting the virus to other people. Unless you have the N95 which filters onlinepletely, a cloth face mask will help reduce the infection rate to about 30% onlinepared to going without any mask from the research we’ve done so far. These studies are still ongoing but it’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s more to protect others from yourself than it is protecting yourself from others.

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silieolme May 1, 2020 at 8:54 pm MST

Thanks for the reply. 🥰

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Sam May 1, 2020 at 9:06 pm MST

Don’t shop there anyway. Their prices are insane.

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adria May 1, 2020 at 9:19 pm MST

If you have asthma you are at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus. You should not even be out shopping

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Molly May 2, 2020 at 5:08 am MST

Adria
So I should just stay locked up like a criminal forever since there is a slight chance I may get sick at some point in my life? Not seeing much logic in that. Ordering online is great as I abhor being around stupid people in general lol, however I am not fearful of going out and living a normal life and should be afforded that freedom without being shamed about not wearing a piece of paper or cloth over my face.

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R May 2, 2020 at 9:07 am MST

I agree. Honestly the only reason I wear the stupid mask is so people don’t shame me. I had to take my child to the store and had no one else to watch them. There was only one clerk I encountered and no other customers and she shamed me for bringing my child out.

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Lea May 2, 2020 at 9:15 am MST

This virus has brought out a rude entitled bossy know it all attitude from a lot of people. People are calling the police on their neighbors for walking out to their mailbox!

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adria May 1, 2020 at 9:20 pm MST

Leslie, thank you for the explanation. Makes sense

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Brittany May 1, 2020 at 9:28 pm MST

I just wanted to let you all know how grateful I am that you guys work so hard to keep us informed. Even with all of the people onlinementing on how mad they are or aren’t at the ongoing changes stores continue to make, you still post these changes. Not everyone will agree with each other and this onlinement isn’t to bash anyone’s opinion, it’s just to let you guys know I appreciate you!

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) May 3, 2020 at 9:30 am MST

Aww, thank YOU for the super sweet feedback, Brittany! We’re so glad you find these posts helpful and we certainly appreciate you as well! 🤗

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rochellemcgee May 2, 2020 at 4:44 am MST

“”There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO health emergencies program…” https://www.cnn.online/2020/03/30/world/coronavirus-who-masks-reonlinemendation-trnd/index.html

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Qvcnut May 2, 2020 at 4:47 am MST

So relieved. My son works there and his dad is high risk. I have been considering having him quit. I wish every store would implement this.

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Qvcnut May 2, 2020 at 4:54 am MST

For people with medical conditions the store and can’t wear a mask maybe the store could have them shop an hour after the store closes to the public.

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Jenny May 2, 2020 at 12:19 pm MST

People, you seem to forget that we wear masks to protect others, not ourselves. I am immune onlinepromised, do I stay out of stores as much as possible. When I must go out, I wear a mask because I don’t want to make someone else sick. If you think creatively, there are alternatives that can work for the vast majority of us.

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