Nature's Emporium unveils face mask policy for Newmarket, Vaughan stores

Maple store reopens for first time since May 8 shutdown

Yorkregion.com
May 26, 2020
John Cudmore

If you plan to visit a Nature’s Emporium, be prepared to don a mask.

Starting May 26, all employees and customers to outlets in Newmarket and Burlington will join counterparts at Maple and Woodbridge locations in wearing mandatory face masks, said Nature’s Emporium president Joe D’Addario in a statement on the company’s website.

The Maple outlet reopened May 25 following a two-week shutdown after three employees tested positive for COVID-19. Two of the employees did not exhibit symptoms. The third has been released from hospital and continues to recover at home, said the company’s co-founder.

Customers who refuse to wear a mask or cannot wear a mask for any reason will not be permitted to enter Nature’s Emporium stores.

Employees will wear be required to wear masks at all times during their work shifts.

“Moving forward, all team members and customers will be required to wear a face mask/face covering inside our locations,” said D’Addario. “Following strong recommendations from the province’s health officials, we believe this update to our health and safety protocols will help us in our ongoing efforts to provide safe and healthy work and shopping environments.

“We thank you in advance for understanding and for your support.”

From May 25 to June 7, customers who do not have a face mask will be provided with one.

From June 8 onward, customers who do not have a face mask can purchase one for $1.

One-way shopping aisles have been introduced at the Maple store. Other stores will have direction decals installed in coming weeks, said D’Addario.