What are your stores doing to prevent the spread of the virus? Our stores are undergoing daily deep cleaning procedures that follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended protocols as well as our own enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfecting guidelines. In addition, the store’s food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized regularly and the store follows a routine of frequent, thorough cleaning of public areas, restrooms, and high-touch places such as conveyor belts, credit card keypads and shopping carts. Additionally, all associates are also trained to follow industry recommended hygiene protocols that include regular hand washing.
- We are also taking extra steps to deep clean and sanitize food contact surfaces and high-touch areas throughout the store while promoting social distancing.
- We’ve put up plexiglass shields at our checkout lanes, customer service desks and pharmacies to provide a measure of protection to our associates and customers.
- Floor markings and decals consisting of arrows and basic mark-ups to remind people to stay six feet apart when moving about the store or standing online at check-out.
- Stores have also reduced their capacity limits to prevent overcrowding and are monitoring the flow of customers in to the store.
- Store associates and customers are required to wear masks or face coverings.
- We’ve implemented a temperature monitoring program that checks the temperatures of all associates and vendors as they arrive for work.
Do store associates have their temperatures taken before beginning their shift? In an effort to reduce community spread of the COVID-19 virus, the following protocol has been developed to screen temperatures of associates upon reporting for work, as well as third-party vendors who may visit the store. Since a fever is one of the symptoms of COVID-19, those associates or third-party vendors whose temperatures are above 100.0 F will be asked not to enter the facility, return home and not return to work until the fever subsides for at least 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, and have no other symptoms of COVID-19. Are store employees being tested for COVID-19? We have not been advised by the CDC or department of health to test our associates. As part of our regular Human Resources policies, we advise all associates who become ill to stay home and consult with their doctor. Their doctors will determine the course of action, including testing.
What will you do when/if a store associate has a confirmed case of COVID-19? Our stores are prepared and we have implemented the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended protocol to reduce the spread of the virus. In the event of a confirmed case of coronavirus, stores are trained to take the following steps:
- Making sure the diagnosed associate is no longer in the workplace.
- Notifying colleagues who may have been in close contact with the affected associate.
- Implementing deep cleaning procedures including sanitizing all workspaces used by the associate and common areas including high-touch areas throughout the store.
- Promoting social distancing by reducing store occupancy to prevent crowding.
- Placing plexiglass shields by registers to provide a measure of protection to our associates and customers.
- Ensuring all store associates and customers wear face coverings.
- Implementing a temperature monitoring program that checks the temperatures of all associates and vendors as they arrive for work.
The store will remain open and continue to follow all necessary guidelines as recommended by the CDC. We are committed to remaining open to provide customers with the essential food supplies they need.
The containment of the coronavirus is a shared responsibility For the safety of our customers and associates we urge everyone:
- If you are sick, please refrain from coming to the store
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wash your hands regularly and do not touch your face
- Practice social distancing, wherever possible
- Wear a face covering while shopping
- We’ve put up plexiglass shields at our checkout lanes, customer service desks and pharmacies to provide a measure of protection to our associates and customers.
- Floor markings and decals consisting of arrows and basic mark-ups to remind people to stay six feet apart when moving about the store or standing online at check-out.
- Stores have reduced their capacity limits to prevent overcrowding and are monitoring the flow of customers in to the store.
- Associates and customers are required to wear face coverings.
Do your associates have to wear face coverings? Yes, based on the latest CDC guidelines, we are requiring our associates to wear face coverings.