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Following city orders to cease and desist, the store posted a statement on Facebook Thursday notifying shoppers of its closure. “Now more than ever before, customers are relying on Walmart for the essentials they need for their families, and our associates are doing heroic work serving their communities,” the post said. Our community is currently suffering from a high rate of coronavirus cases. Out of an abundance of caution, we will temporarily close our store on Thursday, April 30th to allow extra time for third-party specialists to further sanitize the store.”
While the store had initially announced its plans to reopen on Friday, it is unclear when it will reopen. According to the Boston Herald, Worcester has reported over 2,000 cases of COVID-19 in the city, as of Saturday. Statewide more than 66,000 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for coronavirus.
Essential workers, including grocery store employees, are at higher risk of catching the novel coronavirus. Despite known cases amongst workers in many companies and stores, some employees are being forced to still come in. As more employees are getting infected and dying from the coronavirus pandemic, strikes and walkouts are being staged in demand for better protection while on duty. Essential workers need to be provided the proper protective gear and sanitization options to remain safe at work, companies cannot profit off the sacrifices these workers make and must take responsibility.
