Hartsville’s Wal-Mart Supercenter closed 2 days for a COVID cleaning
The Hartsville Wal-Mart has joined a growing list of stores across the country that the company has temporarily shut down to perform a “deep cleaning” to keep the COVID-19 threat at bay. The Wal-Mart Supercenter at 1150 S. 4th St. closed at 2 p.m. Jan. 6 and was slated to reopen at 7 a.m. Jan. 8, corporate spokesman Rebecca Thomason said in a news release. She said it was “part of a company-initiated program to allow third-party cleaning crews time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the building.” The news release did not specifically say COVID was the reason for the temporary shutdown, but it noted: “Everything we’re doing is for the well-being of our associates and customers, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts.” “When the store reopens Friday, we will continue conducting associate health screens and temperature checks, and all associates will be provided with face masks and gloves,” the release said. “These protocols are in addition to the extensive measures we’ve put in place during the pandemic to help protect our associates and customers, including installing sneeze guards at registers, temperature checks and mandatory mask-wearing for associates, placing social distancing signage and enacting emergency leave policy for associates who are unable or uncomfortable coming to work. Additionally, through the help of our health ambassadors, we will continue requiring customers to wear protective facial coverings while inside the building.” An Internet search shows that the gigantic retailer has recently closed dozens of stores across the country for “deep cleanings” that usually take about 36 hours. The temporary closings have been accompanied by identically worded news releases. — Bobby Bryant