A Florida-based grocery store giant is taking more steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus, even as more of its employees contract the illness.
In addition to the installation of Plexiglass separating cashiers from customers, one-way shopping aisles, a touch-free checkout option for shoppers and senior shopping hours on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Publix is now designating special shopping hours for first responders and hospital staff.
Those hours will be Thursday evenings from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday mornings from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., beginning this week.
Meanwhile, a Publix spokesperson confirms that another employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works at a Publix along Federal Highway in Boca Raton. Other Publix employees in Palm Beach County and elsewhere in Florida have previously tested positive for the coronavirus.
Publix, in a statement, talked about how proud the company is of how their dedicated associates are taking care of their customers and each other through this unprecedented and challenging time.
Like other essential service providers, the statement says, they've seen their own associates and their families personally impacted by COVID-19 and it notes that public health officials have indicated there will be an increase in cases as the virus spreads in our communities and Publix expects to see that increase.
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