WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Officials with Hy-Vee announced Tuesday, “In an effort to protect its customers and employees from COVID-19” the company’s stores will distribute free masks to persons entering those stores, beginning Monday, July 27. The company says it will hand out more than 3 million free masks in an effort to help support the CDC’s recommendation to wear masks in public by launching a new initiative called “Mask It Up To Shut COVID Down. It’s Your Choice.”

Starting July 27, employees will be stationed at the front doors of all stores to hand out masks to customers who are not wearing one prior to shopping. Customers will also see signage, employee attire, and other reminders around the store about the educational campaign. Hy-Vee employees have been wearing masks since nearly the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AARP reports that 28 of the top 40 U.S. retailers require shoppers to wear masks, including Walmart, Target and Whole Foods.