ATLANTA — Shoppers of Kroger and Walmart stores in metro Atlanta will soon see all workers of those chains wear masks or face coverings in response to the evolving coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, Kroger’s Atlanta Division (representing Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina) announced the change.

WSB-TV reports: Kroger is adding new safety measures to help protect employees, including mandatory facial mask requirements. The company has a supply of surgical masks in stock for associates to use, Kroger said Sunday. Certain stores in the Atlanta Division will also start pilot testing mandatory temperature checks at the start of each shift. The pilot tests will begin once infrared thermometers, which are currently being shipped, arrive in the stores.

On Friday, retail giant Walmart in a letter to employees announced all its U.S. associates would be required to wear a face covering beginning Monday, April 20.