Yeah... not really.
GameStop will require all customers to wear face masks in its United States locations starting on July 27, the company announced via press release today.
“We believe this is the right thing to do to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our associates and customers from the growing spread of COVID-19,” said GameStop CEO George Sherman in the statement. “Providing a safe environment in our stores for all customers and store associates continues to be our top priority and wearing a face covering is a simple step every one of us can take to ensure the safety of others in our stores.”
Update (07/17/2020, 4:41 p.m. ET): According to GameStop employees, they will not be allowed to refuse service to customers that aren’t wearing masks, nor will they be able to ask them to leave the store. In a memo sent to stores today and acquired by Kotaku, employees are instead asked to follow several steps, including offering the customer a complimentary mask and suggesting alternate methods of shopping.
“If a customer refuses to wear a mask/face covering or is attempting to escalate the situation, calmly ask the customer what you can assist them with and complete their transaction as quickly as possible,” the internal memo reads.
Update (07/17/2020, 5:28 p.m. ET): A representative for GameStop told Kotaku that these internal guidelines were meant to protect their employees in the wake of several incidents in which retail workers were attacked and even killed after asking customers to wear a face mask.
With this, GameStop joins Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, and Starbucks in the growing list of businesses requiring customers wear masks, both for their own safety and the safety of others.
GameStop will require all customers to wear face masks in its United States locations starting on July 27, the company announced via press release today.
“We believe this is the right thing to do to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our associates and customers from the growing spread of COVID-19,” said GameStop CEO George Sherman in the statement. “Providing a safe environment in our stores for all customers and store associates continues to be our top priority and wearing a face covering is a simple step every one of us can take to ensure the safety of others in our stores.”
Update (07/17/2020, 4:41 p.m. ET): According to GameStop employees, they will not be allowed to refuse service to customers that aren’t wearing masks, nor will they be able to ask them to leave the store. In a memo sent to stores today and acquired by Kotaku, employees are instead asked to follow several steps, including offering the customer a complimentary mask and suggesting alternate methods of shopping.
“If a customer refuses to wear a mask/face covering or is attempting to escalate the situation, calmly ask the customer what you can assist them with and complete their transaction as quickly as possible,” the internal memo reads.
Update (07/17/2020, 5:28 p.m. ET): A representative for GameStop told Kotaku that these internal guidelines were meant to protect their employees in the wake of several incidents in which retail workers were attacked and even killed after asking customers to wear a face mask.
With this, GameStop joins Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, and Starbucks in the growing list of businesses requiring customers wear masks, both for their own safety and the safety of others.
