BREAKING: Walmart, Trader Joe's, Costco say vaccinated customers do not have to wear masks

The companies announced on Friday that shoppers who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the store without a mask.

The three retailers, whose stores are among the busiest in the country, made the announcement following the Center for Disease Control's recent announcement wherein they stated that vaccinated people could begin going certain places without masking up.

According to CNN, unvaccinated customers will have to continue wearing masks until they have received their shots. Additionally, in places where mask mandates still exist, face coverings will be required. While Costco and Walmart have extended the new exception to employees, staff at Trader Joe's still have to wear masks. Face coverings will still have to be worn in certain sections, such as the pharmacy.

The changing rules have many wondering how they will be enforced. All three companies stated that they will not require proof of vaccination, reports CNN Business. At Costco, for example, they stated that they will "ask for members' responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy."

While most businesses still require face coverings, for some people, the move signals that a return to normalcy is just around the corner.