Local Walmart focuses on health and safety

Published 9:24 am Friday, April 3, 2020

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The Walmart of Brewton is making adjustments in compliance with guidance provided by the corporate office regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to local management, the corporate office in Bentonville, Arkansas is handling all advisement on ways to combat the virus. Local management emphasized the need to contact this office when seeking any and all information regarding the local store.

In a press release shared on March 31, John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S. released information regarding the company’s response.

The press release read, “As our company and country continue to deal with the spread of COVID-19, we remain focused on the health and safety of our associates.”

As of right now, Walmart of Brewton is open Mon. – Sun. 7 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Pick-up orders are available from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mon. – Sun.

Reaching out to elderly customers, the local store is offering a special shopping time for customers aged 60 and older.

“We know our older customers could be more vulnerable to the coronavirus and to better support them, Walmart is offering special shopping hours,” said Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

According to the corporate office, an hour-long senior shopping event is scheduled for every Tues. until April 28 in Brewton. During this time, customers aged 60 and older are allowed to shop before the store opens.

The pharmacy will be open early as well. Currently the Walmart pharmacy in Brewton is open Mon. and Wed.- Sat. from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. On Tues. the pharmacy is open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. to accommodate elderly customers. On Sun. the pharmacy is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Auto Center is closed at this time.

Along with these new hours, hand sanitizer is conveniently located at the front of the store, along with cleaning wipes to clean shopping carts as customers enter the store. Customers can also follow signage on the floor to maintain the recommended 6-ft. distance from others when waiting in lines and shopping on aisles.

Furner advised that the company continues to communicate with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on guidance for behaviors like washing hands, social distancing, and the cleaning of surfaces.

On Tues. additional steps were shared in an effort to promote a safe and healthy workplace. These steps included temperature checks of all employees, supplies of masks and gloves, and a 6-20-100 proactive guidance.

According to the press release, workers with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or more will be sent home.

The release stated, “Any associate with a temperature of 100.0 degrees will be paid for reporting to work and asked to return home and seek medical treatment if necessary. The associate will not be able to return to work until they are fever-free for at least three days.”

The company also reported it will provide masks and gloves to healthy workers while supplies last.

Finally, Walmart is asking workers and customers to follow a 6-20-100 guidance rule. The release said,“6 feet is the amount of space people should keep from others, when possible, to maintain social distancing. 20 seconds is the amount of time people should take to wash their hands with soap and water. And 100 is the temperature that someone should stay home with.”