Walmart Canada will make face masks mandatory for all customers across the country starting this Wednesday, Aug. 12, a company spokesperson told Freshdaily.

The new policy will cover Walmart stores in cities or regions where there isn't an existing mandate from the local government requiring people to wear face coverings indoors.

"Customers have done a great job following face-covering requirements in those jurisdictions where it is mandated by the local government," said Felicia Fefer, manager of corporate affairs.

"We trust that customers in the rest of our stores where we are initiating this the policy will respect and follow it and will bring their own face coverings when they shop."

Fefer noted that more than 60 per cent of Walmart Canada stores are in regions of the country where there is already some form of local government mandate on face coverings.

To our valued customers: Our Walmart stores remain open to serve you during this time. For the latest information on hours, in-store safety measures and FAQs, please visit our website: https://t.co/yVtsFZ2dh1 pic.twitter.com/WcY6rJaAgi

— Walmart Canada (@WalmartCanada) April 7, 2020

Walmart Canada will continue to take a number of other safety precautions to limit the spread of the virus, including increased cleaning, floor markers, plexiglass barriers, capping the number of shoppers in each store, and requiring employees to undergo daily temperature checks.

Walmart and Sam's Clubs stores in the United States have made face coverings mandatory since mid-July.