Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

COVID-19

Kamloops grocery store adjusting to business in COVID-19 era

Apr 8, 2020 | 2:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Grocery stores are as essential as essential gets nowadays. From fresh produce to the pharmacy, people need supplies as they remain at home during the COVID-19 crisis. One store manager at a Kamloops Save-On-Foods location says it’s important to make the grocery shopping experience safer for their customers and our community.

Checkout lines were busy at Save-On-Foods Wednesday morning (Apr. 8). With a holiday weekend approaching, Store Manager Neil Allkins expects more customers to come through his doors, even with fewer people celebrating Easter.

“It will be a busy week,” Allkins says. “Although there are no weekends or holidays now, so it’s business, as usual, every day. We’re just getting ‘er done.”

Like other stores that remain open, Save-On-Foods has had to adjust how they conduct business.

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“We’ve taken quite a few measures: social distancing, we’re limiting the number of people in a store, we’ve got signage and lines on the floor, so people respect the six-foot, two-meter distancing. We’ve brought in hand-sanitizing programs to the store; we have plexiglass guards up on the pharmacy and the checkouts.”

While the initial reaction for some shoppers was to snatch up as many supplies as possible, stores have done their best to limit certain high-demand items. Allkins is urging customers to follow specific etiquette guidelines when they do come shopping.

“Just be courteous of the team and other people. Again, keeping your distance is very, very important. Only come into the store when necessary. Only one family member shop at a time, just to help limit the number of people in the store. The goal is not to have too many people in one place at one time.”

Many are suggesting people make a shopping list before heading to the store so that you can get in and out as quickly as possible. It’s also essential to pick up only the items you intend to buy and to wash your produce thoroughly once you get home.

“Of course, our main priorities are the safety of our staff and customers,” Allkins says. “You know, it’s definitely not business as usual. Our team is working very hard to keep the shelves stocked and the people safe.”