Hy-Vee to Hand Out Millions of Free Masks

While some businesses are requiring facial coverings before allowing customers to shop in their stores, Hy-Vee is taking a different approach. The grocery store chain hasn't put a mask mandate in effect at their stores, but they will make it easier for customers to mask up before shopping for groceries.

Hy-Vee, based in West Des Moines, announced in a media release that they'll be handing out masks at their stores "in an effort to protect its customers and employees from COVID-19."

Beginning Monday, July 27, Hy-Vee plans to pass out over 3 million masks, for free. It's all part of an initiative the grocery store chain calls "Mask It Up To Shut COVID Down. It's Your Choice."

Hy-Vee will have employees at the front entrances giving masks to customers who do not have one when they come in. There will also be reminders about the "Mask It Up To Shut COVID Down. It's Your Choice" campaign on signs in the store as well as on clothing worn by Hy-Vee employees.

Hy-Vee says they were "recently named one of the top three supermarkets in America for its handling of the COVID-19 crisis." Employees of Hy-Vee stores have been wearing face masks since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the release.