Major grocery stores like Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, and others are adding plexiglass barriers to keep customers and employees safe during the coronavirus outbreak.
Both Walmart and Kroger shared that supermarkets would be adding temporary plexiglass sneeze guards to pharmacy lanes and checkout counters.
On Tuesday, Walmart confirmed that all locations across the country will install the plexiglass shields at store registers in the next 2 to 3 weeks. The company will also be placing the barriers at both Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy lanes during the same time.
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Kroger, which operates several regional chains such as Ralphs, Smith’s, and others, also said it would be adding the sneeze guards on Tuesday to its more than 2,700 stores in the coming weeks.
Albertsons grocery stores, which own and operate supermarket chains including Safeway, Shaws, Star Market, and Acme, among others, has already started installing the plexiglass barriers to its checkouts. They hope for installation to be completed by the end of March.
Publix also announced this week it would be installing the guards to its store registers.
In addition to the sneeze guards designed to protect both customers and employees, the major grocery store chains have also installed floor decals and waiting points as social distancing tools designed to keep customers six feet away from each other. A press release from Walmart said:
“Over the coming days and week we are installing floor decals in our stores at both the entrances and in checkout lanes, making it easier for customers to judge the proper social distance from each other.”
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Earlier this week, Albertsons shared it would be installing designated waiting points via floor markers located throughout the store where people congregate. Vivek Sankaran, president & CEO of Alberstons brands, said:
“We have seen our customers begin to implement social distancing on their own with our’ two carts apart’ reminders as they shop our stores, so we think our floor markers will increase awareness.”
