Hy-Vee Inc. no longer is requiring customers and employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID to wear masks in the company’s stores, the West Des Mones grocer announced today. The mandate, however, will remain in place in stores located in communities where masks are mandated by ordinance. Hy-Vee, in its news release, said it encourages people who are not fully vaccinated to wear masks. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said fully vaccinated people didn’t need to wear masks in most circumstances. That announcement prompted several national retailers like Target and Walmart to drop mask requirements. Hy-Vee will continue to maintain its Plexiglas barriers in checkout lanes and at pharmacy, customer service and convenience store counters. It will also continue to make hand sanitizer available to customers.