Bare shelves in the Prince Albert Walmart last weekend. (submitted photo)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

covid-19

Cleaning protocols, stock assessed at local stores amid COVID-19 outbreak

Mar 18, 2020 | 8:00 AM

A local grocery store is announcing some operational changes amid the COVID-19 situation.

Lake Country Co-op is designating a special time slot for older and vulnerable customers to do their food shopping. The organization made the announcement on its Facebook page and other social media Tuesday afternoon.

Jill Dumanski, director of marketing and community relations with Lake Country Co-op, said they were motivated to bring in special shopping hours after seeing other businesses do so. She added they have a lot of customers who are seniors.

“We gathered together today and said ‘Can we handle this staffing wise?’ and we said ‘Absolutely we can do this,'” she said.

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There’s been increased traffic in the Co-op food stores this week. Dumanski said staff are working to make sure stores stay stocked and there are not currently any issues with supply.

“We’re working every single day, getting in stock every single day to keep food and necessities on our shelves,” she said.

Empty shelves at some stores

This past weekend in Prince Albert the parking lot at Save-On-Foods appeared busier than normal. On Monday, the aisle containing toilet paper and paper towels was nearly empty, with only napkins remaining. Empty shelves were also reported at Walmart over the weekend.

Local management at Save-On-Foods referred all questions to head office and at deadline for this story paNOW had not received a response.

Retailer makes changes

Costco will begin controlling the number of customers allowed inside its warehouses following a surge in business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The wholesale retailer placed limits on certain items and is working with suppliers to make sure in-demand products are available.

Some services will be reduced at the stores. There has been increased sanitation of carts, cash registers and product shelves. Store administrators are asking customers and employees to practice social distancing in stores.

National chains say no cause for concern

Amid some empty shelves, CEOs of some the country’s big grocery chains are reassuring customers stores won’t run out of food or other supplies.

Loblaw’s CEO Galen Weston said empty store shelves were the result of extreme buying levels as people stockpiled supplies.

Meanwhile, Empire CEO Michael Medline said Sobeys and Safeway have never seen so many customers. He said he has great confidence in the country’s grocery stores and food supply chain.

With files from The Canadian Press

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn