Walmart and Target, the nation’s two-largest retailers, announced it would begin limiting the number of shoppers inside stores to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Walmart said stores will allow no more than five customers for each 1000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity. An average Walmart store is 105,000 square feet so this would equal 505 shoppers.
To manage this restriction at stores, Walmart employees will mark a queue at a single-entry door (in most cases the Grocery entrance) and direct arriving customers there, where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted. Associates and signage will remind customers of the importance of social distancing while they’re waiting to enter a store – especially before it opens in the morning.
Once a store reaches its capacity, customers will be admitted inside on a “1-out-1-in” basis.
Walmart says it will only make store aisles one-way next week in a number of its stores, using floor markers and direction from employees. This will help customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop.
Target said it will actively monitor and, when needed, meter guest traffic in its nearly 1,900 stores nationwide to promote social distancing. The company did not give details but said occupancy limits will vary by location and be determined by the store’s specific square footage to enhance the average space per person and reduce the possibility of congestion. If metering is required, a Target employee will provide a designated waiting area outside with social distancing markers.
Additionally, Target will supply its more than 350,000 team members in stores and distribution centers with face masks and gloves to wear at work.
