Vermont Retail & Grocer Association seeks to clarify requirements of retail employees wearing masks. Retail employees are required to wear cloth face masks in the presence of other employees and all customers regardless of a translucent “sneeze guard.”
VRGA has learned of confusion surrounding requirements set forth by the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and would like to ensure clarity for everyone’s safety.
Updated operating instructions from ACCD now state: “Employees must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask if the employee works alone and does not interact with customers outside the work station.” Businesses and non-profit and government entities may require customers or clients to wear masks.
In consultation with ACCD, proper interpretation of this guidance allows a single retail employee to stand behind a translucent “sneeze guard” in lieu of a cloth face covering. If two or more people are working behind a translucent shield, or if the employee leaves their work station and may be in the presence of other staff or customers, then the employee must wear a face mask.
For questions about specific scenarios and situations arising in your business, always refer first to ACCD operating guidance which can be found at https://accd.vermont.gov/news/update-new-work-safe-additions-stay-home-stay-safe-order. For questions that can’t be answered by the ACCD guidance for businesses, reach out to VRGA at https://vtrga.org/contact-us. VRGA continues to work with ACCD and the office of the Governor in efforts to fully open retail in the state.
To learn more about the work VRGA does, visit their website at www.vtrga.org, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram call their office at (802) 839-1928 or visit them at 963 Paine Turnpike N, Berlin, VT 05602.
