In-N-Out Burger, the popular West Coast burger chain, is facing backlash after announcing a new policy that will ban employees from wearing masks in several states. According to internal company memos, employees in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Utah will no longer be allowed to wear masks starting from August 14. Those who wish to continue wearing masks will need to obtain a valid medical note. However, employees in California and Oregon, where laws prevent employers from banning masks, are exempt from this policy.

The memo from In-N-Out states that the decision was made to promote clear and effective communication with customers and among employees. Employees who are approved to wear masks for medical reasons will be required to wear a company-provided N-95 mask, unless their doctor advises otherwise. In-N-Out has not yet responded to requests for comment on the new policy.

This is not the first time In-N-Out has faced controversy regarding COVID-19 policies. In October 2021, an In-N-Out store in San Francisco was temporarily closed for refusing to check customers' COVID-19 vaccination status, as mandated by local laws at the time. In-N-Out's chief legal and business officer, Arnie Wensinger, stated that the company would not act as the "vaccination police" for any government. In the same month, another In-N-Out store in Pleasant Hill, California, was fined for the same reason.

The announcement of the new mask policy has sparked outrage among mask advocates, who argue that it is discriminatory and harmful. Social media users have taken to platforms like Twitter to express their frustration and encourage others to contact In-N-Out's customer service to voice their opposition. Some have criticized In-N-Out for prioritizing their employees' smiles over public health and safety, particularly for those who are immunocompromised or have vulnerable family members.

Despite the backlash, In-N-Out has not yet commented on the situation. It remains to be seen how the company will respond to the criticism and whether any changes will be made to the policy. As of now, the mask ban is set to go into effect on August 14, and the company plans to periodically review the policy to ensure compliance with evolving health guidelines.