At least two people who work in Publix Supermarkets in South Florida are infected with the new coronavirus, the company said Monday.
An employee tested positive for the virus on Sunday at a store in Miami-Dade County, and the other was confirmed in West Boca on Monday, said spokeswoman Nicole Krauss.
The Florida-based grocery store chain refused to say which departments the employees worked in. The employees worked at store 126 at Clint Moore Road and U.S. Highway 441 in West Boca and store 1429 at 9420 SW 56th St. in Miami-Dade.
Since employees at grocery stores started testing positive for the virus, nervous shoppers are questioning just how safe it is to head to the supermarket.
The stores have been disinfected up to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards, in addition to daily cleaning and sanitation protocols, Krauss said.
Publix originally said it would not have employees wear gloves or masks at work unless their job duties required gloves, such as making a sub. That changed Monday, when the company said it would allow those who want to wear protective equipment to do so throughout the national emergency.
The company will supply gloves while already-limited inventory lasts, but workers who want masks are on their own. The grocer also said that while the company will allow employees to wear protective gear, CDC guidelines of washing hands often and social distancing are still the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
To respond to the virus, the company has implemented a heightened disinfection program that focuses on high-touch surfaces, such as touch pads, door and drawer handles, phones and computers, Krauss said.
The company has also suspended food demonstrations and reduced store hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow more time to sanitize stores and restock shelves for the next day. Seniors can shop one hour before the store opens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 a.m., which includes the stores’ pharmacy.
Publix is installing plexiglass shields across its stores at checkout, customer service and pharmacy registers.
