Earlier in the month, Starbucks announced that beginning Monday, Sept 14, all customers and staff will be required to mask up while visiting all company-owned café locations in Canada.

The move comes after Walmart and Superstore made similar decisions on Aug 12, and 29, respectively.

Starbucks states that this decision is based on recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada and is intended to support the health of customers and employees alike.

Evidence from the Public Health Agency of Canada suggests that when an infected person wears a mask, the transmission of COVID-19 can be greatly reduced.

Given that some carriers of the virus may not show any symptoms at all, the Government of Saskatchewan recommends wearing a mask in the community even if you have no symptoms.

Because the Starbucks location in Safeway is a franchise and not directly owned by the corporation, this policy will not necessarily apply.