Your guide to which companies and local businesses require masks

CHARLOTTE — UPDATED: Starting August 18, you’ll need to wear a mask in Charlotte and parts of Mecklenburg County.

The City of Charlotte and the unincorporated parts of the county will go back under an indoor mask mandate, with the rest of the county most likely following in its footsteps soon after, county officials have announced.

This latest recommendation applies to those who have not been vaccinated as well as those who have gotten the shots.

Charlotte businesses are handling the changes differently. Here is a list of local grocery stores, restaurants, breweries, and entertainment and sports venues and their latest mask polices:

Grocery Stores

Aldi -- Not requiring masks

Food Lion -- Not requiring masks

Harris Teeter -- Not requiring masks

Kroger -- Not requiring masks

Lidl -- Not requiring masks

Publix -- Customers are not required to wear masks; all employees will be required to wear masks

(updated July 30) “Effective Aug. 2, Publix is requiring associates, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths while inside any Publix location, and we encourage all to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We continue to encourage, but not require, our associates to get vaccinated.”

Trader Joe’s -- Not requiring masks

Whole Foods -- Not requiring masks

Food and Drink

(WATCH BELOW: Local businesses face rise in COVID-19 cases and new masks mandates)

Restaurants face rise in COVID-19 cases and new mask mandates

McDonald’s -- Masks required for employees and customers in areas with high or substantial coronavirus transmission. The company didn’t say how many restaurants would be impacted by the new mask mandate.

Osteria Luca -- Masks required for employees; masks are optional for customers

Starbucks -- Customers are not required to wear masks; employees will be required to wear masks beginning Aug. 5

Retail Stores

Apple -- Masks required in most stores

Costco -- Not requiring masks

The Home Depot -- Requiring all associates, contractors and vendors to wear a mask while indoors

Lowe’s -- Customers are not required to wear masks; all employees will be required to wear masks indoors

(updated Aug. 2) “The health and safety of our associates and customers continue to be our highest priority. Because of the increased cases of COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the delta variant, effective August 2, Lowe’s associates are required to wear masks indoors at all U.S. locations and while working in a customer’s home or business – regardless of vaccination status. Lowe’s will continue to abide by all state and local mask mandates. Stores will have signs encouraging customers to wear masks, and free masks will continue to be available for customers who request them.”

Target -- Customers are not required to wear masks but it is strongly encouraged in areas with a substantial or high risk of transmission. All employees will be required to wear masks in counties that have a substantial or high risk of transmission. Read more here.

Walmart -- Customers are not required to wear masks but it is strongly encouraged in areas with a substantial or high risk of transmission. All employees will be required to wear masks in counties that have a substantial or high risk of transmission. Read more here.

Sports and Entertainment Venues

Carowinds -- Not requiring masks

Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre -- Not requiring masks, but recommended if your aren’t vaccinated

Discovery Place Museums -- Masks required for all staff and visitors age 2 and older beginning Aug. 6, regardless of vaccination status.

(updated Aug. 3) “As leaders in science education, we are adapting our policy to align with recent updates to public health guidelines. The safety of our staff, visitors and community is our #1 priority, and masks are one of the best ways to protect everyone — especially our younger and vulnerable guests.”

The Evening Muse -- Proof of Vaccination or a recent negative Covid-19 test result

(updated Aug. 13) “The safety and well-being of our staff, guests and performers during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority at The Evening Muse... All attendees and performers of The Evening must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of attending each event(s).”

PNC Music Pavilion -- Not requiring masks, but recommended if your aren’t vaccinated

Spectrum Center -- Not requiring masks, but recommended if your aren’t vaccinated

Truist Field (Charlotte Knights) -- Not requiring masks, but recommended if your aren’t vaccinated

City of Charlotte Government Buildings

Fire departments -- Masks required

Government Center -- Masks required

Mecklenburg County Courthouse - Masks required

Police departments -- Masks required

(WATCH: Starbucks, McDonald’s, Home Depot to require workers wear masks inside all locations)

Starbucks, McDonald’s, Home Depot to require workers wear masks inside all locations (NCD)

Cox Media Group