Lowe's Now Requiring Workers Wear Masks Indoors In U.S. Stores

MOORESVILLE, NC — Lowe's home improvement stores will now require its workers mask up indoors in all its U.S. stores, as well as inside customers' homes and businesses, it announced Monday.

The new policy issued by the Mooresville-based company stops short of requiring its customers to do the same, however.

"Stores will have signs encouraging customers to wear masks, and free masks will continue to be available for customers who request them," it said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Iredell County's COVID-19 Transmission Rate Is High, CDC Says

The news comes as the spread of the Delta variant continues to swell COVID-19 infection rates across the country, as well as in North Carolina.

North Carolina reported near 2,200 new COVID cases Monday, as 1,359 were hospitalized and the percent positive rate in the state neared 11 percent.

"The health and safety of our associates and customers continue to be our highest priority," Lowe's said in a statement announcing the new store masking policy. "Because of the increased cases of COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the delta variant, effective August 2, Lowe’s associates are required to wear masks indoors at all U.S. locations and while working in a customer’s home or business — regardless of vaccination status."