OHIO — Citing the recent surge of COVID-19 cases nationwide due in large part to the delta variant, Kroger is now encouraging all customers and employees to wear masks in stores, regardless of vaccination status.

In a statement from a Kroger spokesperson, the company said its stance was informed by updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released this week.

"In light of the delta variant and updated CDC recommendations, we strongly encourage all individuals, including those who are vaccinated, to wear a mask when in our stores and facilities," the statement read. "We will continue to abide by all state and local mandates and encourage all Americans to get vaccinated, including our associates."

Kroger currently requires unvaccinated associates to wear masks and urges unvaccinated customers to mask up, but stores don't verify vaccination status for customers.

Earlier this week, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated Americans return to mask-wearing in indoor settings in areas of high COVID-19 transmission.

Kroger partnered with the Biden administration this past May to encourage vaccinations, offering five $1 million prizes and a year of free groceries to customers who received their COVID-19 vaccine at a Kroger Health location.