Coronavirus: Baltimore-Area Fresh Markets To Require Face Covers

BALTIMORE, MD — The Fresh Market, an upscale gourmet grocery store with locations in Baltimore and Towson, announced all shoppers are required to wear face coverings starting Tuesday, April 14.

According to a statement by the North Carolina-based company, the decision to require in-store face coverings was made to follow protocols from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization.

"The Fresh Market continues to place the safety of their team members and guests as the top priority," the company said.

The CDC and Maryland health officials began recommending people wear face masks outside of their homes on April 3. At the time the state had 2,758 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and had seen 42 deaths. As of Monday, Maryland reported almost 9,000 cases and 262 deaths.

“There is growing evidence that more individuals than previously thought may be carriers of coronavirus but do not show symptoms of the illness.,” James Ball, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at The Fresh Market, said. “Wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of the virus by asymptomatic individuals."

Maryland shoppers aren't the only ones being asked to wear face masks while at The Fresh Market. The company has implemented the policy for all 159 stores.

The chain has also limited the number of customers allowed in the store, required all staff to wear face coverings in the store and reserved certain shopping hours for people a higher risk for COVID-19 complications.