Many major retailers announced a mandatory face mask policy this week, but Winn-Dixie stated it won't require customers to wear a face mask.
The grocery chain is instead "strongly encouraging" customers to wear masks.
Joe Caldwell, the director of corporate communications and government affairs at Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie's parent company, said in an email that the stores don't want to "cause undue friction between our customers and associates by regulating mask mandates."
"We strongly encourage state officials to lead the way in regulating these [type] of safety mandates," he said.
Target, CVS, Walmart, and Publix grocery stores have all joined the growing list of national chains that will require customers to wear face masks regardless of where cities or states stand on the issue.
