BusinessCoronavirus
Governor, Dr. Alexander-Scott Announce New Guidelines for Large Retailers
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Dr. Alexander-Scott announced Wednesday new guidelines issued by the Department of Business Regulation for retailers and grocers as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, all retailers and grocers must:
- Allow no more than 20% of stated fire capacity in the store at a time;
- Require staff to count the number of customers entering and exiting the store and enforce limits;
- Clearly mark 6’ spacing in lines and other high-traffic areas. Stores should consider posting signage or using ropes to direct customers and to limit bottlenecks/encourage flow in high-density areas of stores;
- Designate employees to monitor social distancing and assist customers;
- Maximize space between customers and employees at checkout;
- Designate employee(s) to ensure the cleaning guidelines set by the CDC are followed;
- Discontinue self-serve foods and product sampling; and
- Offer exclusive hours for those in high-risk populations, including seniors, where stores will restrict entrance to maintain 10% of fire capacity.
Larger grocery stores and retailers with more than 25,000 square feet are encouraged to offer pickup and/or delivery options.
Dr. Alexander-Scott announced today that Rhode Island has eight additional cases of COVID-19. Five of these individuals are males, and three are females. They range in age from their 30s to their 60s. This brings Rhode Island’s case count to 132.
I think large retailers should have been offering more online with the ability to have a lot of items shipped/delivered to them instead of so many thing being put as in store purchase only. They are making it so people have to go into the store, be around other people which puts them at risk of getting the virus. It’s incredibly irresponsible and completely stupid!! These places care more about profit than having respect for people trying their best to practice social distancing. The figure if they can get people in the store that they will shop for more items thereby increasing the stores profirs!