We wear masks to protect you, so please wear a mask to protect us. The co-op is starting to require shoppers to wear masks or other face coverings. We already require the same of our staff and our vendors in the store. To continue serving our community, we must keep ourselves healthy.
Public health officials say wearing a covering over your nose and mouth is an important way to prevent spreading Covid-19 to others. The State of Indiana continues to recommend wearing face coverings in public settings. This recommendation is in effect until June 14th when Indiana moves to Stage 4 of its Back on Track Reopening Plan.
Yet, at the same time, Elkhart County is reporting an increasing number of new confirmed Covid-19 infections. We are seeing an increasing number of customers choosing not to wear a mask in our store. These conditions have added to increased anxiety amongst our staff.
Our decision to require masks does not come lightly. After seeking staff’s input and hearing from customers, we know there is strong support. “All staff have been wearing masks, and we can all tell you that it’s not fun to wear them eight hours a day. We’re doing it because we feel it is the right thing to protect our co-workers and customers from potential asymptomatic spread,” General Manager Brad Alstrom said.
The co-op’s mask requirement begins Wednesday, May 27th.
We will reconsider when the State of Indiana moves to Stage 4 of the reopening plan. Our mask requirement does not apply to children under the age of two or to individuals who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical condition. We will have paper masks available at the entrance and will maintain this supply as much as possible.
If you have questions or comments about the mask requirement, please contact our general manager, Brad Alstrom at bradalstrom@maplecitymarket.coop. We ask that you do not direct any comments toward our staff unless it’s positive feedback.
This crisis is an opportunity to come together cooperatively to protect our grocery workers and other members of our community. We truly are in this together and are incredibly thankful for your support
Click here to see other steps we are taking to stop the spread.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings.