As COVID-19 cases rise exponentially across the U.S. and here in Monroe County, many businesses are taking as many precautions as they can to keep their customers safe. One local business is seeing backlash after numerous customers took to social media to voice why they felt unsafe.

According to these social media posts, Wegmans employees are not enforcing a mask mandate despite the grocer’s previous claims and signs that say masks are required to enter the store. 

Customers are reporting that when they approach an employee about others who are not wearing a mask, the employee will generally say that they can’t do anything about it. 

Wegmans released a statement on social media after the backlash.

“Customers are required to wear a face covering while shopping in our stores in accordance with applicable local or state mandates. Anyone who enters our stores without a mask is approached by one of our people and offered a free mask. Through ongoing monitoring, we continue to see 99% compliance with the mask mandates from our customers. Thank you to all who voluntarily comply.”

It’s unclear just how many 1% of Wegmans customers amount to. 

More upset customers countered that statement, once again saying that Wegmans employees have not been offering masks to the people non-compliant with the mask policy. 

This is a growing concern, especially in Monroe County, as daily new cases have consistently been over 500 and hospitals in the Rochester area are nearing capacity. 

The CDC says masks are one of the most powerful tools in combating the spread of the virus. 

“We are not defenseless against COVID-19,” CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said. “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”