Love's drops mask mandate for customers, staff with vaccinations

Updated Jun 11, 2021
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Love’s Travel Stops today announced it will stop requiring customers and employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to wear masks.

The company's mask requirement has been in place in Love’s more than 560 stores across the country since last July and ends Tuesday, June 15. Non-vaccinated customers and employees are still being asked to wear masks, reflecting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, according to a statement from Love's.

“The past 15 months have been challenging for customers and team members, so we’re pleased the country has made such great strides against the pandemic to get to this point,” said Love’s President Shane Wharton. “We will continue to be diligent about health and safety as ever before. We want to thank our customers for wearing masks in our stores and for the patience they’ve shown as we worked toward this decision.”  

Some cities, counties and states will continue to require all employees and customers to wear masks, and the company will abide by these requirements.

RELATED NEWS: COVID-related waivers extended through Aug. 31

Love’s said it is continuing to prioritize the health and safety of customers and team members by performing stringent cleaning measures, practicing social distancing and using plexiglass at its locations. The company continues to provide employees with a $75 incentive for voluntarily receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

A bit less than half -- 42% -- of all Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Some 52% have received at least one dose. For Americans 18 years old and older, 53% are fully vaccinated and 64% of people in that age that group have received at least one shot.

Since the pandemic began early last year, 33,420,582 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in this country, and 598,355 Americans have died from it.