Walmart announced last night it will be screening employees upon their arrival at work and providing them with masks and gloves in order to help protect workers and shoppers from COVID-19.
To better serve our customers and promote a safe and healthy workplace for our associates, we’re taking the following actions in our U.S.-based stores, clubs, and supply chain locations over the next few weeks. https://t.co/HKcVCYtxwn pic.twitter.com/sVKCcrriQW
— Walmart (@Walmart) March 31, 2020
The retailer had previously implemented increased sanitary protocols and contactless payment methods, in addition to installing sneeze guards at checkout stations, but is continuing to impose stricter regulations in order to properly practice social distancing, Fox News reports.
Under the new regulations, any employee with a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home for a minimum of three days and receive sick pay, reports Yahoo! News, but shipping those thermometers could take up to three weeks, meaning in some locations the temperature checks may not be implemented right away.
Walmart will also be providing masks and gloves — but not N95 respirators out of concerns for healthcare workers — to employees wanting to use them within the next two weeks, CBS reports.
In addition to the announced changes, Walmart spokesperson Dan Bartlett tells CNN the store will also be implementing one-way aisles in order to help customers properly practice social distancing.
This Twitter user took a picture at his local Canadian Walmart, where it appears the one-way aisles are already in place. In addition to being one way, they appear to be marked to measure the appropriate distance between persons.
Already seen in Canadian Walmart locations. pic.twitter.com/f2vU42MynJ
— Andrew Davis 🇨🇦 - Technovangilutionist (@andrew_506) March 31, 2020