Starting Thursday, April 2, Market Basket is limiting the number of customers in the store at any given time, and adding new protocols for public safety, according to a press release issued by the company Wednesday.
“We have been constantly refining our operations focused on the health and safety of our customers and associates,” Joseph Schmidt, Operations Supervisor for Market Basket said. “These changes reflect the wide range of input we have received on a daily basis – from our customers and our associates and from the Governors and public health experts who describe the next several weeks as critical for the health of the residents in our region. It is important that our customers have a pleasant, safe, and healthy experience in our stores.”
In addition to limiting customer numbers, the stores are implementing several other new protocols as of Thursday.
The number of shoppers will be limited based on store size, to ensure customers have enough space. Customers will be asked to use a single exit and entrance, though all fire safety measures and exits will remain in place.
When customers enter the store, an associate will sanitize a shopping cart for them to use.
Market Basket had also previously announced other sanitation steps, including disinfecting surfaces such as cash registers, counter tops, register belts, shopping carts and baskets, card readers, door handles and phones regularly, and encouraging social distancing of at least six feet – which can be measured by staying at least six floor tiles apart.
“Our hardworking associates are committed to helping our customers during this challenging time,” Schmidt continued. “We firmly believe that with this newly refined approach we can make the grocery store experience better for all.”