In-N-Out Burger bans employees from wearing masks in five states

In-N-Out Burger, the popular fast food chain, will soon ban employees from wearing masks in five states unless they have a valid medical note.

Starting August 14, In-N-Out Burger employees in the chain’s Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah locations will be prohibited from wearing a mask, unless they have a valid medical note “exempting him or her from this requirement,” according to the company policy. Those who want to continue wearing a mask for medical reasons must wear a company-provided N95 mask.

Under the new policy, the company said the importance of safe and genuine customer service to show off associates’ smiles to promote communication between customers and employees is the reason for the ban.

“Our goal is to continue to provide safe and customer-centric Store and Support environments that balance two things that In-N-Out is known for — exceptional customer service and unmatched standards for health, safety, and quality,” according to the company memo.

If employees do not comply with the new rule, they may be subject to disciplinary action, — including termination, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation, according to the email.

People have taken to social media and expressed concerns about potential health risks, considering the highly contagious Delta variant’s prevalence in many areas.

Dr. Judy Stone, an infectious disease physician, criticized the new policy on Twitter, saying it violates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 recommendations and she urging people to contact In-N-Out’s corporate headquarters to reel back the policy from being enforced.