Grocery stores, hardware stores and even the United States Postal Service have placed protective barriers at checkout and service counters to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Genna Lewis, assistant manager at the IGA on E. 25th Street, said Thursday that plexiglass partitions have been installed at many cash registers to foster physical distancing at all their stores.
“I was kind of unsure about it because I thought it might be inconvenient, but it has actually worked pretty well,” Lewis said. “The customers seem to like it. They appreciate all that we’re doing.”
State authorities have recommended that consumers and businesses practice social distancing and keep a distance of six feet between people while shopping. Lewis said IGA has stepped up these measures.
She said IGA has expanded daily sanitation practices in stores, including sanitizing its shopping carts with bleach and wiping down high-touch points such as cooler door handles every night.
Store associates are permitted to wear protective masks and gloves which are available to them. Markers on the floor indicate that people to stand six feet apart while waiting in line.
“The customers have been great too,” she said. “Everybody has been very thankful, very appreciative of everything we’ve done.”
At USPS in Owensboro, each location has draped a clear plastic tarp over its service stations.
USPS said in a statement that it’s encouraging healthy behaviors and protocols including frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, and additional cleaning of workspaces.
“In order to maintain a safe, appropriate distance, social distancing signs will be placed on inner and outer lobby doors. Customers will be asked to limit the Post Office lobby to no more than 10 people at a time,” according to USPS.
Many stores across Owensboro are limiting the number of customers in the store at one time, placing markers on the floor at the registers to encourage social distancing and are taking extra steps to keep the store clean and disinfected.
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