Norwalk ampm drops mask mandate

The ampm convenience store in Norwalk lifted its mask mandate indoors. Their decision comes as COVID-19 cases rise in California. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK – Customers were surprised to learn that the Norwalk ampm at 10602 Imperial Hwy will not require masks inside the convenience store. The business' decision comes as California reports a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Upon entering the store, some customers are taken back to see ampm employees maskless. Most indoor businesses require face coverings to protect against the virus.

Los Angeles County department of public health says everyone must wear a mask in all indoor public places regardless of vaccine status.

"I don't think it's safe, [COVID] is still around," said LA resident Mayra Hernandez as she filled her car with gas. "If everyone wore a mask, it would bring the numbers down and hopefully not have COVID next year."

A portion of customers, including Herandez, chose to pay for their gas at the pump to avoid going inside. However, numerous people from across LA County still decide to go inside the ampm convenience store every day.

The county department of health says people should wear a mask when around others who are not in their household to avoid contracting or spreading the virus.

According to the CDC, masks are proven to help protect a person from contracting and spreading COVID-19.

"You get people from different places, and you don't know if they're sick or vaccinated. I work at Disneyland and still have to wear our masks outside," said Hernandez.

Norwalk resident Albert Contreras felt ampm's decision was unsafe but noted that most people in the area are vaccinated.

"I feel there's a lot less risk out in these areas where, I think, almost everyone is vaccinated," said Contreras. "If it were like Orange County, I think that would be a bigger issue."

He expressed confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, which is proven to be 90% effective in protecting people from the virus. The Norwalk resident also feels that restrictions will continue to go down as vaccination rates go up.

The county department of health says only 72% of LA County residents, ages 12 and higher, are fully vaccinated. However, in Norwalk, 71% of residents in the same category are fully vaccinated.

"Everything in the county is so strict, you can't go anywhere without a mask. It's weird that [ampm] lift their requirement now," said Joana Estrada, LA resident and digital marketing specialist.

She called ampm's decision "irresponsible." Estrada said the community would be safer if they and other high-volume businesses enforced COVID safety protocols.

To businesses that do not implement COVID safety rules, Estrada asks, "Why aren't you doing everything you can to keep the community safe?"

The Norwalk ampm supervisor was not available for comment.

Surrounding ampm stores are choosing to lift mask requirements indoors, too.

The Bellflower ampm at 10159 Alondra Blvd does not enforce masks inside, despite the sign on their door telling customers to put on a face-covering before entering.

The Downey ampm at 10808 Lakewood Blvd deviates from their neighboring partners and requires masks inside their store.