King Soopers allowing vaccinated customers to ditch masks starting Thursday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- King Soopers is the latest grocery chain to announce that customers who are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 will be able to shop maskless.

King Soopers' parent company Kroger made the announcement Wednesday, saying the new policy takes effect on Thursday and applies to fully vaccinated customers and most vaccinated employees. The new policy in response to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Several other store chains, including Walmart, Target and Costco, have already announced that vaccinated customers can shop without masks.

Kroger said stores in local jurisdictions that require masks will still require customers to adhere to that guidance.

Associates who aren't vaccinated will still need to wear a mask.