Walmart Corporate has announced they will be implementing new tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as changes to help protect their employees.
“In this taxing and uncertain time, our associates have gone above and beyond to help Americans get the food, medicine, and supplies they need,” states Decona Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart U.S.
They have taken steps to expand paid leave policies, as well as closing stores overnight to allow for proper cleaning and installing of social distance markers and sneeze guards at registers. Temperature checks have been implemented for employees of Walmart and gloves and masks have been made available as well.
Walmart further addressed issues they have seen with people not following social distancing protocols in their stores and other dangerous behaviors. They stress to the public to bring the fewest number of people per family necessary to shop and to not congregate with other customers. Due to these issues, they have implemented policies of only allowing a certain number of customers in the store at one time. Once the store has reached its capacity, customers are then let in on a “1-out-1-in” basis.
One way aisles are also being implemented to encourage one-way movement throughout the stores. This will help customers to maintain safe social distance while shopping.
Walmart states that they continue to stay up to date on the latest advice from medical experts to decide how to move forward safely, while also providing a service to their customers. The health and safety of associates and customers is what matters most.
