Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons announced that it’s asking customers to wear a face covering when shopping our stores even if there isn’t a local Executive Order in place.

Thorntons Cares about the communities where its guests and team members live and work and is always committed to taking measures to keep its stores clean and safe.

Over the last several months, Thorntons has implemented many preventative measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 — including requiring face coverings for all Thorntons team members and Vendor partners. Now it’s asking customers to join in. Customers with a medical condition that prevent them from wearing a face covering are exempt from this requirement. In addition, children under the age of five are exempt except in jurisdictions where the age exemption is younger by Executive Order.

Thorntons stores will leverage store signage, onsite radio announcements and communication to Refreshing Rewards loyalty program members to communicate this new requirement. Disposable face coverings will be available at stores for customers that may arrive without one.

“The health and wellbeing of our Team Members and Guests are always a top priority but especially during this time when even more people are being affected by the novel Coronavirus,” said Simon Richards, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thorntons Cares and we proudly continue to take additional precautions inside and outside our stores to help slow the spread of the virus while remaining open 24/7 to serve our Guests. The CDC and other health experts continue to recommend face coverings, so we believe it is the responsible thing to do to ask all Guests who can, irrespective of local mandates, to join our Team Members and Vendor partners in wearing a face covering.”

Thorntons operates more than 200 stores that provide high quality fresh foods, beverages and fuel in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida.