Most customers and employees at businesses in Connecticut that are still operating are now required to wear masks, according to a new state order.

Stop&Shop grocery store chain announced that all shoppers across the state would be required to wear a mask when in their stores moving forward.

Stop & Shop has issued a directive that all associates and customers in its Connecticut stores must wear masks.

NEWS 8 reported “Stop&Shop grocery store chain also made the announcement Wednesday that all shoppers across the state would be required to wear a mask when in their stores moving forward.

Stop & Shop stated it was “strongly encouraging its customers to follow CDC guidelines and do their part in making their stores safer.”

The new directive is the latest effort by a regional supermarket chain to ensure that its workforce maintains pandemic-related health protocols. Earlier this week, Wakefern Food Corp., the retailer-owned grocery cooperative that operates ShopRite and PriceRite Marketplace supermarkets in New York and Connecticut, began testing its employees’ temperatures before being allowed to proceed with their in-store responsibilities.

As of Wednesday, the city has 775 confirmed coronavirus cases and 19 confirmed deaths. Health officials say the city’s death rate from the virus is now up to 2.5%.

While the governor is urging people to wear masks, he said he will probably issue an executive order within days.

Lamont said right now it’s a strong recommendation but that “it will probably be reflected” in an executive order within the next two days.

The governor’s recommendation is for cloth-face masks, not surgical masks or N95 respirators, said Josh Geballe, the state’s chief operating officer.

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