Major grocery stores installing plexiglass barriers amid outbreak

The retail giant continue to focus on health and safety by taking necessary measures for social distancing

Major grocery stores installing plexiglass barriers amid outbreak

Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Albertsons, and other major grocery stores are introducing physical obstacles to keep employees and customers safe in the course of the pandemic. Both Kroger and Walmart shared that supermarkets would be adding impermanent plexiglass sneeze protectors to pharmacy lanes and checkout counters.

Walmart shared the news on 24 March 2020, approving that all locations across the country will install the plexiglass shields at store registers within the next 2 to 3 weeks. The company will also be introducing the barriers at both Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacy lanes during the same time period. Kroger, which operates numerous regional chains such as Smith's, Ralphs, and others, also confirmed it would be adding the sneeze guards on 24 March 2020 to its more than 2,700 stores in the upcoming weeks.

The retail giant has begun installing plexiglass barriers (sneeze guards) at the pharmacy tracks in Walmart and Sam's Club stores. It also plans to present the guards at regular Walmart registers during the next two to three weeks. Besides the sneeze guards intended to protect both customers and employees, the major grocery store chains have also implemented social distancing tools by setting up floor decals and waiting points planned to keep people six feet away from each other.

Over the upcoming days and week, Walmart is installing floor labels in its stores at both the entrances and in checkout lanes, making it at ease for customers to judge the appropriate social distance from each other. On 23 March, Albertsons shared that it would be installing designated waiting points via floor markers, to be located all over the store, and especially places where people congregate, e.g., checkout stands, the bakery and deli section, and the pharmacy.

Vivek Sankaran, president & CEO of Alberstons brands said that it has been seen the customers begin to implement social distancing on their own with the 'two carts apart' reminders as they shop the stores, so we think our floor markers will increase awareness. Dacona Smith, COO, and executive VP, Walmart U.S. informed that staying safe and healthy is more significant than ever for the customers, the associates, and for the company. Fixing these barriers is another way Walmart is serving bring peace of mind that it is doing everything it can to keep its people and its stores safe.

Walmart has also set up a new sanitizing solution to assist its employees clean shopping carts quicker and more methodically. Stores will soon start consuming the Hart brand two-gallon backpack sprayer kit that it currently sells in stores to sanitize the whole cart. Walmart will transport the sprayer kit to its stores that don't carry the product, beginning this week. In other safety measures, to make it at ease for customers to judge the proper social distance from each other, Walmart is setting up floor decals at both the entrances and in checkout lanes of its stores. The stickers will be installed during the coming days and weeks.

Currently, the majority of Walmart associates and family members have everyday access to USD 4 telehealth doctor visits. Walmart is now waiving this fee for those plan members, providing them access to behavioral and health services at no cost to them. Additionally, associates and their families can get free support for mental wellness, or life concerns 24/7 through Walmart's partnership with the third-party provider Resources for Living, which includes three behavioral counseling sessions at no cost.