US-based retail giant Walmart announced on Friday that employees and customers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be required to wear a mask inside the supermarket.

In addition to this, the store also announced a $75 bonus payment for all employees who can prove their vaccination cycle is completed.

The new mask policy of the store will be put in place for employees beginning May 18.

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The decision comes just a day after the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated residents of the US will no longer be required to wear a mask while social distancing standards have also been eased.

“Beginning today, vaccinated customers and members are welcome to shop without a mask, and we will continue to request that non-vaccinated customers and members wear face coverings in our stores and clubs,” the company said in a statement, while adding that masks would still be required where mandated by local authorities, reported AFP.

“These are positive developments. We can do this. We’ve been through a lot this year, and now we need to do our part to finish this,” Walmart said in a statement signed by corporate leadership.

Walmart mandated customers wear face masks starting last July, and is now among the first major American corporations to end the requirement, reported AFP.

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“We are also reviewing whether masks may still be required for certain job codes for health and sanitation purposes and will share additional guidance soon. Some associates may choose to continue to wear masks, and as part of our value of respect for the individual we should all support their right to do so,” the company said.

Walmart, which employs over 1.5 million people in the US, recorded significantly boosted sales last year as the country imposed COVID-19 related restrictions.