NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- ShopRite’s parent company Wakefern Food Corp. announced Friday that starting next week, all employees and vendors will be required to wear masks and get temperature checks in response to the coronavirus spread.
According to a statement, non-contact forehead infrared thermometers will be used as employees arrive for work at all stores and warehouses. Employees with an elevated temperature will be sent home.
“These are extraordinary times and we are committed to protecting our associates and customers as we keep our stores open to serve our communities,” Joe Colalillo, CEO of Wakefern Food Corp., said in the statement. “We are closely monitoring the fast-moving COVID-19 emergency and all new recommendations and CDC protocols, and using that information to guide our decisions."
Vendors also will have their temperatures checked.
All stores have already enacted social distancing with signs, in-store announcements, and floor markers, the statement notes.
The company has nearly 80,000 employees and 354 supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Gourmet Garage and Dearborn Market banners in states including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
As of April 9, employees working in at least 42 of the more than 100 different ShopRite locations in New Jersey have been infected with the coronavirus.
ShopRite has also suspended its return policies several stores have limited the number of customers allowed inside.
Amazon and Whole Foods have also announced temperature checks and masks requirements for their employees.