PHOENIX — Walmart will temporarily close one of its stores in Phoenix so crews can clean and sanitize the building.
The Walmart Supercenter located near Bethany Home Road and 15th Avenue will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, the retailer said in a news release. The store is expected to reopen on Saturday at 7 a.m.
The retailer did not provide a specific reason for the unexpected closure but said it was part of a company-initiated program to allow third-party cleaning crews to clean and sanitize the store. Remaining closed on New Year's Day also allows its employees time to restock the shelves, the company said.
Walmart released the following statement as part of the announcement:
“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 Saturday, we will continue conducting associate health screens and temperature checks, and all associates will be provided with facemasks and gloves.
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.
We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind.”
