In response to growing COVID cases in some states, Walmart has begun temporarily shutting down stores for intensive cleaning.
A leading industry analyst advised, however, that it’s too early to tell if the closures hint at additional major economic stress relative to the mutating disease that has now infected millions.
Walmart stores in Jacksonville and Lynn Haven, Florida, closed Sunday afternoon for sanitization efforts and remained closed until 6 a.m. Tuesday. This follows a store closure in Claremore, Oklahoma, two days before and a shut-down last week in West Melbourne, Florida. The latest store closure occurred Tuesday afternoon in Palm Bay, Fla. about 50 miles southeast of Orlando along the Atlantic coast. That store will reopen this Thursday at 6 a.m.
[Related: Mask wearing back in vogue--even for the vaccinated]
The world’s largest retailer said concern for its employees and customers amid a growing wave of COVID cases are resulting in these sanitation shut-downs which typically take a day-and-a-half to complete. Third-party specialists handle sanitation efforts while Walmart employees restock shelves.
“As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases, mainly among the unvaccinated, and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic,” Walmart said in a statement.
