If you live in a state that no longer has a mask mandate, you may have been walking around without wearing a face mask for some time, but the rules change when you enter a business that requires face masks. For example, in Texas, we’ve seen angry customers refuse to wear face masks, assuming that it wasn’t required in any setting since the mask mandate was dropped. That’s not always true.

Even without a mask mandate, businesses have the right to make their own rules. For example, businesses can require face masks even when the state government does not require them.

Last week, the CDC made a major change to mask recommendations. Instead of recommending face masks for everyone indoors and outdoors, the CDC now says that anyone who has been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 does not need to wear a face mask in pretty much any setting expect in healthcare settings and “where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

Several businesses have jumped on board the ditch the face mask if fully vaccinated bandwagon. Trader Joe’s was the first, but now Target is following their lead.

Unless face masks are required by local law in your area, fully vaccinated customers and employees at Target are no longer required to wear face masks inside their stores. In a press release, Target explained, “Given the CDC’s updated guidance last week, Target will no longer require fully vaccinated guests and team members to wear face coverings in our stores, except where it’s required by local ordinances. Face coverings will continue to be strongly recommended for guests and team members who are not fully vaccinated and we’ll continue our increased safety and cleaning measures, including social distancing, throughout our stores.”

If you have not been vaccinated yet, Target can help you out. Nearly all CVS locations within Targets are currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine via appointment.

Have you been fully vaccinated for COVID-19? Is there a mask mandate where you live? Do you feel comfortable ditching the face mask while shopping at places like Target and Trader Joe’s?