The Prince Albert Safeway location. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community concerns

‘I left the store in tears’ : Prince Albert mother raises concerns with pandemic policy

Nov 19, 2020 | 5:54 PM

By all accounts, Shannon Halpenny’s trip to the grocery store Wednesday night with her seven-year-old son, should have been routine, but she says the events that transpired left her shaken and upset.

The 45-year-old single parent stopped at Safeway to pick up milk, and told paNOW she was met at the door by a man she claims was the store manager.

“He said only one person per household,” she said.

Halpenny said she attempted to tell the man she was a single mom and had no other options, but again was told no.

“I was kind of in shock. Like, he’s seven, he can’t stay home alone,” she said.

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A list of rules posted at the store’s main entrance displays a total capacity limit but does not mention limits to individual households. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Halpenny said she continued to plead her case, but claims she was then told she was not welcome at the store, and instructed to go shop someplace else.

“I was near speechless. I left the store in tears,” she said. “What are single parents supposed to do? I work full time. Lots of time I can’t get my shopping done until I’m done work.”

She noted she has no other family in town.

Halpenny shared her experience on Facebook, and when paNOW attempted to get a comment from store management about the incident, they declined, explaining they don’t respond to social media posts. paNOW also reached out to the company’s head office and received the following statement:

“The health and safety of our customers, teammates and suppliers is our top priority. We adhere closely to all Public Health guidelines, and our rigorous sanitation protocols are in place. While we recommend that families have one designated shopper, we understand that this is not always possible for everyone. Please know, we will not turn anyone away,” the statement said.

A list of the store’s current regulations, according to the company’s website. (sobeys.ca)

paNOW also reached out to other grocery stores in the city. The management for both Lake Country Co-Op and Harold’s IGA also said they encourage shopping to be done by one family member, but added they would not turn away a parent with kids.

“We are understanding of personal family situations where that may not be possible,” Harold’s IGA Owner Chris Szeszorak told paNOW.

Loblaws, the parent company of the Real Canadian Superstore, also provided a statement to paNOW. The company explained that from the onset of the pandemic they have implemented a number of measures to help keep colleagues and customers safe while they work and shop.

“As it stands, while it’s strongly encouraged to limit your shop to one person per household, we would never deny admittance to anyone accompanied by additional family members or children,”‘ the statement said.

COVID cases at Safeway

According to the Sobeys website, five store employees at the Prince Albert Safeway have tested positive for COVID-19 between Nov. 13 and Nov. 18. For two of the employees, the last day they worked was on Nov. 5. Two others worked on Nov. 6 and other case was last at the store on Nov. 7.

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Editor’s note: This story was updated on Nov. 24, to include a statement from Sobey’s head office regarding the company’s COVID-19 policies.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell