PORTLAND, Ore. — Starting April 7, Fred Meyer stores will limit the number of customers inside to encourage physical distancing. Only 50 percent of the international building code's calculated capacity to allow for proper distancing in every store.
“Fred Meyer’s introduction of customer capacity limits is one more way we are doing our part to flatten the curve while operating as an essential business, providing our customers with access to fresh, affordable food and products,” said Dave Richard, Fred Meyer’s vice president of operations. “During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers and communities.”
The standard building capacity for grocery stores is one person per 60 feet. Under Fred Meyer's reduced capacity limits, it will be one person per 120 square feet. Employees will monitor the number of customers per square foot using QueVision technology, which already counts the number of customers entering and exiting stores.
“By leveraging QueVision, our technology system that uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics, we will be able to more efficiently support our new capacity limits, creating a safer environment for our customers and associates,” said Yael Cosset, chief technology and digital office for Fred Meyer’s parent company, Kroger.
The customer capacity limits joins other measure Fred Meyer has established over the last few weeks. This includes the addition of Plexiglas partitions and educational floor decals, as well as airing a healthy habits message over the in-store radio.
Fred Meyer is encouraging employees to wear protective masks and gloves. Their parent company Kroger has ordered masks for employees nationwide. Supply should start to arrive now in some regions and all locations should have masks and gloves by the end of the week.
Employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including a fever, are encouraging to stay home and contact their health care provider. Under a expanded COVID-19 emergency leave guideline, employees who are verified by a healthcare professional are eligible to receive their standard pay for up to two weeks.
The retailer started testing temperature checks in its distribution centers several weeks ago and is beginning to expand associate temperature checks to stores. Fred Meyer is following local ordinances in cities or counties that mandate employee temperature checks and associates may also request to have their temperature taken at work.
Pharmacies are temporarily waiving fees for prescription delivery via mail our courier. To learn more about options and availability, contact your local Fred Meyer pharmacy.
Customers are still able to use reusable shopping bags and there is not a state or local ordinance prohibiting use. Fred Meyer encourages customers to clean and wipe down reusable bags for a safe shopping environment.
As part of the company’s commitment to end hunger and eliminate waste in its communities by 2025, the retailer continues to allow its customers to use reusable shopping bags, provided there is not a state or local ordinance that prohibits use. The retailer encourages its customers to frequently clean and wipe down their reusable shopping bags to help maintain a safe shopping environment.
Fred Meyer is closing at 4pm on Easter Sunday, April 12, to provide its associates with more time to rest and be with their families. Holiday operating hours will vary by location and market.
