Walmart to check workers for fever before starting shifts; gloves and masks on the way
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, businesses make adjustments in a scramble to protect workers in the grocery and health care industries.
On Tuesday, Walmart announced it was going to introduce temperature checks and health questions for workers before the start of their shifts at stores, Sam’s Club locations and warehouses.
In a noted posted Tuesday on the corporate website, the retail giant said: “We are in the process of sending infrared thermometers to all locations, which could take up to three weeks.
“Any associate with a temperature of 100.0 degrees will be paid for reporting to work and asked to return home and seek medical treatment if necessary. The associate will not be able to return to work until they are fever-free for at least three days.”
Additionally, “While the CDC and other health officials do not recommend masks or gloves for healthy people who don’t ordinarily use them for their jobs, we will make them available — as supplies permit — for associates who want to wear them.
“The masks will arrive in 1-2 weeks. They will be high-quality masks, but not N95 respirators – which should be reserved for at-risk health care workers.”
Other retailers, including Safeway/Albertsons, Fred Meyer/QFC and Central Co-op, have allowed workers to wear masks and gloves on shift.
