Giant and Safeway are limiting occupancy

The new Giant in Seven Corners.

Giant Food is implementing new social distancing policies in all its stores to better protect the safety of customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic, the company announced April 7.

A customer count system will be established on April 9 to ensure occupancy is limited to 20 percent of a store’s overall capacity. “To manage customer occupancy limits, an associate will be stationed at the front entrance tracking shopper flow,” Giant Food states.

One-way aisle traffic will also be put in place in all stores to support social distancing. Arrow markers on the floor and new signs will designate the direction shoppers will need to move. New signage will remind customers to observe six feet of distance from others.

Giant stores will close on 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, and will reopen at 6 a.m. on Monday.

In other coronavirus developments, Giant has secured plastic face shields for employees; installed plexiglass shields at cash registers, pharmacies, and customer service desks; and stepped up cleaning of “high-touch areas.” 

Safeway is also limiting occupancy, WTOP, reports. Occupancy will be limited to one person per 150 square feet during normal business hours and to one person per 300 square feet during shopping hours reserved for seniors and other customers with health risks – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.-9 a.m.

A Safeway employee will be assigned to the front door to manager customer traffic.