3 suburbs requiring face masks at grocery stores, other essential businesses

In a growing trend, shoppers at grocery stores and other essential businesses will be required to wear face masks in the towns of Glenview, Cicero and Skokie.

“We are following those directives and have posted signage with that information at all of our stores in Glenview and Skokie,” said Mary Frances Trucco, a spokeswoman forJewel-Osco.

Glenview’s order went into effect Sunday. Skokie’s order begins at 5 p.m. Thursday. And Cicero’s order took effect Wednesday. The suburbs are also requiring face coverings on public transportation.

The rules are being enacted piecemeal across the country.

Los Angeles began requiring face masks at essential businesses Friday.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday ordered all New Yorkers to wear face coverings when social distancing is not a viable option. Cuomo’s order goes into effect Friday and also includes grocery stores and public transportation.

And the governor of New Jersey issued a similar rule last week.

Supermarket industry analyst Phil Lempert told the Sun-Times Wednesday that the trend will continue to grow and shoppers shouldn’t be surprised to see either store employees or security refusing entry to anyone without a mask.

Editor’s note: This article was updated to correct the effective date of Skokie’s face mask order.