CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago supermarket chain Jewel Osco has begun installing Plexiglass sneeze guards at registers and other spots within stores as a health precaution, the Itasca-based company said Tuesday.
The transparent barriers are meant to help stem the spread of coronavirus while Jewel stores remain open for shoppers during the Illinois stay-at-home order. The sneeze guards will also be at service desks, pharmacy check stands and Starbucks terminals.
“We recognize that we provide an essential service to our communities and we are doing everything we can to provide a safe, secure and comfortable shopping space for our valued customers and our associates,” Mike Withers, president of Jewel-Osco, said in a news release.
At least one other supermarket chain, Iowa-based Hy-Vee, has installed the plastic guards to protect cashiers who are ringing up customers. Hy-Vee is also banning customer use of reusable shopping bags, for the time being.
Jewel Osco officials say they have also taken measures to encourage customers to keep their distance from each other while shopping or checking out.