A change is coming to Walmart

WASHINGTON - On Friday afternoon, more than half of the customers entering Walmart in Washington were not wearing masks.

Today this will change.

Starting Monday, Walmart and Sam's Club stores across the country will require masks in all stores.

Currently, about 65 percent of its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there already is some form of government mandate for face coverings - but not Iowa.

According to Walmart, the company has 58 supercenters, two discount stores and nine Sam's Clubs in Iowa.

Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., around 414 customers entered the Walmart in Washington. Of those, 183 were wearing masks and 231 were not.

Walmart said Wednesday it will create the role of 'health ambassador” at its Walmart stores and will station them near the entrance to remind customers without masks of its new requirements. These workers, who will be wearing black polo shirts, will receive special training to 'help make the process as smooth as possible for customers.”

Walmart said it's currently working on different options for customers who don't show up with a face mask.

Other stores that require masks include Kohls, Kroger, Starbucks, Target, Best Buy and Menards.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have backed out of its mask mandate just eight days after announcing it.

On July 8, the parent company for the two stores said it was requiring all associates and customers to wear face coverings, but on Thursday, the website states it requests customers to wear masks, but it is only required where the state or local ordinance mandates.

The Gazette and Associated Press contributed to this report.