ARIZONA NEWS

In-N-Out Burger bans most workers in Arizona, 4 other states from wearing face masks

Jul 19, 2023, 12:14 PM

A customer carries food while exiting an In-N-Out restaurant in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, ...

A customer carries food while exiting an In-N-Out restaurant in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

PHOENIX – Fast food chain In-N-Out Burger is banning most of its workers in Arizona and four other states from wearing face masks.

The policy includes exemptions for employees with notes from their doctors or for jobs that require protective gear, like painting.

The guidelines apply to restaurants in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah. In-N-Out also operates in California and Oregon, but those states have laws preventing businesses from banning masks.

The policy was first publicized through internal company emails leaked on social media. A company customer service representative confirmed the accuracy of the new mask guidelines with The Associated Press on Wednesday.

What does In-N-Out Burger mask policy say?

A leaked memo to employees pointed to “the importance of customer service and the ability to show our associates’ smiles and other facial features while considering the health and well-being of all individuals.”

Employees who don’t comply could face disciplinary action, including termination.

In-N-Out workers in California and Oregon also have new mask guidelines set to go into effect Aug. 14, according to a separate leaked company memo. But in contrast to the other states, California and Oregon employees will still be able to choose to wear a mask.

Those masks must be a company-provided N-95 mask, the memo says — adding that employees who wish to wear different masks must provide “a valid medical note.”

Both memos note that policies are subject to local health regulations, and that the company will continue to evaluate accommodation for its guidelines.

Health official criticizes In-N-Out Burger mask ban

The new guidelines are facing pushback from public health officials like infectious disease specialist Dr. Judy Stone.

“Requiring a doctor’s note is also a burden in terms of time and money. Many people don’t have a primary care physician or one who is readily available,” Stone wrote in a column for Forbes this week. “And requiring proof of a disability might be considered a violation of the Americans with Disability Act, depending on how one interprets masking as a request for accommodation.”

Stone also pointed to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — which notes that 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease, increasing their risk for severe COVID-19.

It is not the first time that the chain, based in California, has clashed with health experts over safety measures that were first put into place as deaths from COVID-19 skyrocketed during the pandemic.

In October 2021, several In-N-Out locations in California faced fines or were temporarily closed because the burger chain refused to enforce COVID-19 vaccination rules.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A Border Patrol officer sits inside his car as he guards the US/Mexico border fence, in Nogales, Ar...

Serena O'Sullivan

Gov. Hobbs to grant $10 million to Nogales Police Department for border security

Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Friday a $10 million grant to the Nogales Police Department that will help protect the U.S.-Mexico border.

1 minute ago

Chandler residents can apply to 4 new assistance programs...

Serena O'Sullivan

New programs help Chandler residents with neighborhood improvements

Chandler residents could soon say goodbye to cracked sidewalks, cat colonies and loneliness thanks to four city assistance programs.

1 hour ago

North High School...

KTAR.com

Student at North High School in Phoenix arrested after being found with handgun

A student at North High School in Phoenix was arrested Thursday after he was found with a handgun on campus, authorities said.

2 hours ago

A photo posted to the Old Station Subs Facebook page in 2014 shows the downtown Phoenix sandwich sh...

Kevin Stone

Phoenix sandwich shop owner still feels weight of fight over Zone homeless encampment

A Phoenix sandwich shop owner is still feeling the weight of a four-year battle after a favorable ruling in the Zone homeless encampment lawsuit.

3 hours ago

Mugshot of Christina Pasqualetto of Gilbert, Arizona, who is accused of shooting her estrange husba...

KTAR.com

Gilbert woman accused of shooting husband because he wanted divorce

A Gilbert woman was arrested after allegedly shooting her estranged husband in Prescott, apparently because he wanted a divorce.

4 hours ago

Gas pump inside vehicle at station...

SuElen Rivera

Have gas prices topped out in Arizona? Experts weighs in

Gas prices are high across Arizona, but some experts believe prices have topped off and more relief could be on the horizon.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Ignite Digital

How to unlock the power of digital marketing for Phoenix businesses

All businesses around the Valley hopes to maximize their ROI with current customers and secure a greater market share in the digital sphere.

Sanderson Ford...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford congratulates D-backs’ on drive to great first half of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks just completed a red-hot first half of the major league season, and Sanderson Ford wants to send its congratulations to the ballclub.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

In-N-Out Burger bans most workers in Arizona, 4 other states from wearing face masks