Ashley Nolan, Global Communications Senior Manager issued a lengthy statement explaining the abrupt closing that took place Wednesday afternoon at the local Walmart west of LaBelle.
"As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic. As part of this effort, we have chosen to temporarily close our LaBelle store location 1951 W Hickpochee Ave. in LaBelle, ON Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. as part of a company-initiated program. This will allow extra time for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store and will also give our associates additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store to once again serve the community. We plan to reopen the store to customers at 6 a.m. on August 20, 2021.
"As an essential business and a member of the LaBelle community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time.
"Given the rise in positive cases through the Delta variant, we will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.
"In these counties and where there are state or local mask mandates, associates will be required to wear masks inside our facilities, including stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. You can find the county-by-county breakdown at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view. The CDC updates its data on transmission rates weekly, so the guidance on mask usage is likely to change over time in different locations.
"When the store reopens Friday, we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings.
"In addition to offering COVID-19 vaccines to customers through walk-in or online appointments, we’re also offering easy access to vaccines for associates. Associates can receive their vaccinations at their home store pharmacy, on or off the clock.
"Should associates choose to schedule their vaccinations elsewhere, we will provide two hours of paid leave. Associates who receive the vaccine are given a $150 bonus for doing so and up to three days paid leave, should they experience and adverse reaction to the vaccine."
"As an essential business and a member of the LaBelle community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time.
"Given the rise in positive cases through the Delta variant, we will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.
"In these counties and where there are state or local mask mandates, associates will be required to wear masks inside our facilities, including stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. You can find the county-by-county breakdown at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view. The CDC updates its data on transmission rates weekly, so the guidance on mask usage is likely to change over time in different locations.
"When the store reopens Friday, we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings.
"In addition to offering COVID-19 vaccines to customers through walk-in or online appointments, we’re also offering easy access to vaccines for associates. Associates can receive their vaccinations at their home store pharmacy, on or off the clock.
"Should associates choose to schedule their vaccinations elsewhere, we will provide two hours of paid leave. Associates who receive the vaccine are given a $150 bonus for doing so and up to three days paid leave, should they experience and adverse reaction to the vaccine."
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