The CDC revised its guidelines for those who are vaccinated, and stores are making changes to mask rules.
Walmart, Target and More Are Lifting Their Mask Mandates
Updated on Jan. 04, 2024
To say the coronavirus outbreak impacted our shopping habits would be a vast understatement. Most of us spent the last year masking up to go to Costco, Target and Walmart, and with good reason. Now, over a year later, it seems that all our efforts to stay safe have started to pay off.
With vaccination rates rising across the states, the CDC recently updated its COVID-19 guidelines. This has led to a number of retailers revising their mask guidelines, specifically for those who are fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, someone counts as fully vaccinated if they’re two weeks out from their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks out from a shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Here are the changes you can expect to see:
Walmart
Walmart made an announcement stating that fully vaccinated associates no longer have to wear masks while inside their stores, clubs, distribution centers and offices starting May 18. This extends to fully vaccinated customers and members who shop at their stores and clubs, unless mandated otherwise by city or state ordinances.
Unvaccinated employees and customers are still required to wear a mask. No word yet on whether the one-way aisles in some of the stores will continue to be enforced, or if you’ll still have to leave through a different door than the one you came in from.
Haven’t gotten your shot yet? You can get the vaccine at your nearest Walmart or Sam’s Club.
Target
Target’s latest announcement states that fully vaccinated team members and customers will no longer be required to wear a mask while in the store unless required otherwise by local ordinances. Face coverings are still recommended for anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated, and increased safety and cleaning measures, as well as social distancing, will continue to be enforced.
You can finally get on that list of things you should always buy at Target.
Costco
In a letter to members, Costco declared that beginning May 14, members and guests can browse at the warehouse without a mask in locations with no state or local mask requirements. They won’t require proof of vaccination but will require masks in healthcare settings, including the Pharmacy, Optical and Hearing Aid sections.
In locations with state or local mask requirements, members and guests will still have to wear a face mask or shield unless they have a medical condition. Children under the age of 2 don’t have to follow this rule. There’s more good news, too—Costco brought back its free samples.
Easy Meals Made with Pantry Staples
Dinner in a BagI get a head start on this family-pleasing dinner by assembling ready-to-grab pantry kits. I measure dry macaroni and the spice mixture into separate containers, storing them in a paper bag with canned tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Chorizo Burrito BowlsI'm always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Lemon Chicken OrzoLemon chicken orzo is a one-pot wonder. It's easy enough to make for a weeknight meal, but fancy enough to serve for guests. Customize it with different pasta shapes and your favorite vegetables.
Quinoa PattiesEasy-to-make quinoa patties pack an amazing taste, and the crunch from quinoa makes the texture to die for. Pan-frying these delicious vegetarian burgers adds a perfect crisp that takes them to the next level.
Ground Beef Spaghetti SkilletI remember my grandma making this stovetop supper many times—we always loved Granny’s spaghetti! My husband and I now enjoy making this for our dinner. You can easily use ground turkey instead of ground beef if that’s what you happen to have on hand. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
Chicken Tamale PieBecause it cooks almost entirely in the slow cooker and uses a boxed cornbread mix, this two-layer chicken tamale pie is an easy and mostly hands-off dinner.
Moroccan Chickpea StewFor a 30-minute-meal that's warm and vibrant, try this hearty Moroccan chickpea stew. It's packed with squash, veggies and warm spices, and fast enough that you can whip it up on a weeknight.
BurritosPacked with beans, your choice of protein and a myriad of other potential fillings, this easy burrito recipe is your launchpad to unlimited flavor combinations.
Creamy Garlic ChickenThis creamy garlic chicken recipe is a quick and easy comfort dish that the whole family can enjoy on a weeknight.
White Turkey ChiliHere's proof that chili doesn't have to be tomato-red. This white turkey chili makes delicious use of leftover turkey meat.
Meatball TortelliniI combined some favorite staples from our freezer and pantry to come up with this easy dish. It has few ingredients and little preparation. —Tracie Bergeron, Chauvin, Louisiana
Black Bean NachosThese black bean nachos are easy to customize and require just 10 minutes in the oven to bake to cheesy perfection.
Cauliflower & Tofu CurryCauliflower, garbanzo beans and tofu are each subtle on their own, but together they make an awesome base for curry. We have this recipe weekly because one of us is always craving it. —Patrick McGilvray, Cincinnati, Ohio
Easy Chicken EnchiladasWith a few staple ingredients, these easy chicken enchiladas are so quick to make, dinner will be on the table before you know it.
Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken SausageDinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
Taco LasagnaTaco lasagna is fun spin on a traditional lasagna. It is packed with familiar taco flavors, and we love the richness of the buttery refried beans and melted cheese.
Tex-Mex Chicken with Black Beans & RiceI came up with this Tex-Mex recipe for my sister who just got her first slow cooker. It’s a delicious go-to recipe for busy days. —Elizabeth Dumont, Boulder, Colorado
Simple Sausage Pasta TossFor a flash of tasty inspiration, grab a skillet and stir up turkey sausage with tomatoes, garlic and olives. Toss everything with spaghetti, and sprinkle with Parmesan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ground Pork PastaReady in just 30 minutes, this flavorful ground pork pasta is a versatile dish that you can easily customize with your favorite pasta and seasonal vegetables.
Louisiana Red Beans and RiceSmoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of Louisiana red beans and rice. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the table. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas
Beef and Rice SkilletIf you love stuffed peppers but don't love the effort, this loaded beef and rice skillet is the answer. You can get it on the table in a half hour flat.
Parmesan Pork TenderloinI am of Danish descent and love all things pork, both old recipes and new. Here's a dish I came up with myself. —John Hansen, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts
Baked Mac and CheeseEven people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware
Pork Chops and NoodlesIndulge in the comforting flavors of tender pork chops smothered in a tangy mustard sauce, served over creamy egg noodles. This hearty dish, inspired by classic European cuisine, is a quick and satisfying meal for any night of the week.
Turkey StroganoffIn this turkey stroganoff, juicy and economical turkey thighs braise in a creamy tarragon sauce until tender. This makes for an easy and mostly hands-off slow-cooker supper served over cooked egg noodles.
Spanish Chicken and RiceThis one-pot Spanish chicken and rice casserole is easy to make, versatile and filled to the brim with flavor. Follow the recipe as is, or make it your own, for a nutritious, tasty dish that makes lovely leftovers too.
Chicken Pesto PastaWhen my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana
Chicken and Orzo SkilletHere’s a perfect one-skillet supper that’s colorful, healthy, filling and definitely special! Our taste testers loved the blend of spices, the touch of heat and the sophisticated flavor. —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan
