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Costco, one of the first to require masks, drops face-covering requirement for fully vaccinated at some clubs

Costco, one of the first retailers to mandate shoppers wear masks, dropped its face-covering requirement for those who are fully vaccinated.

The wholesale club said it updated its policy Friday, CEO Craig Jelinek wrote in a letter to members.

Customers who live in areas that have state or local mask requirements may still have to wear masks – regardless of vaccination status.

Walmart, Sam's Club and Trader Joe's also no longer require masks for the fully vaccinated after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new mask guidelines Thursday.

"In Costco locations where the state or local jurisdiction does not have a mask mandate, we will allow members and guests who are fully vaccinated to enter Costco without a face mask or face shield," Jelinek wrote Friday.

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Masks will still be required at all club pharmacies, optical and hearing aid departments.

Jelinek said clubs will not require proof of vaccination, but the company asks "for members’ responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy."

In clubs under a mandate, Jelinek said the company "will follow the state or local regulations and continue to require members and guests to wear a face mask or face shield."

Children under 2 continue to be exempt from wearing a face covering.

Costco started requiring masks in early May 2020. In November, it updated its policy to require all members, guests and employees, including those with medical conditions, to wear a face mask or a face shield.

The CDC said Thursday that fully vaccinated Americans, for the most part, no longer need to wear masks indoors and don’t have to wear masks outdoors, even in crowded spaces.

Privately owned businesses can still require masks, which most of the nation's largest retailers started mandating last summer. The CDC recommends masks in health care settings, transportation hubs such as airports and on planes and public transportation.

Many retailers, including Target, CVS and Walgreens, are evaluating the CDC guidance but say they could update policies.

"As before, our goal is to continue to provide a safe shopping environment for our members and guests and to provide a safe work environment for our employees, while following public health advice and applicable laws," Jelinek said.

Contributing: Adrianna Rodriguez

No more masks: Walmart, Sam's Club drop mask rule for fully vaccinated customers and employees after CDC mask guidelines

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Costco mask policy: No masks for vaccinated members after CDC update