The Checkers store in Durbanville’s Midwell Centre closed again for Covid-19 decontamination on Friday May 15, reopening on Sunday May 17 – the third time this has happened since lockdown started.
By the start of the month, 17 Shoprite and Checkers stores had closed because of staff testing positive, prompting management to increase precautionary measures.
In a statement to Northern News, the Shoprite Group, which Checkers is part of, said the company had taken steps to protect staff and customers, and the Durbanville store closure had been the result of “proactive testing” to aid early detection of Covid-19 cases.
“The store was then voluntarily closed prior to the authorities instruction to do so. The length of the store’s closure was taken with consideration of when last the employee was at work.”
The statement said the company had voluntarily closed most of its stores during lockdown in accordance with National Institute for Communicable Diseases guidelines.
“We closely follow the government’s daily reporting on the spread of the virus and accept that as the virus continues to spread across the country, our business and our people we will be affected in various ways. We will continue to act to safeguard our employees and customers to the extent that it is within our power to do.”
The statement said the company was concerned with the growing number of stores reporting positive cases but could not comment on what the reasons might be for the widespread store closures.
“We are unfortunately not able to provide clinical comment on spread, transmissions or trends other than to say that we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the well-being and health of our employees, customers and communities and immediately react in accordance with provided guidelines when a medical concern comes to our attention.”
Employees at the Checkers Willowbridge branch, who did not want their names published for fear of losing their jobs, said the store had given them protective gear but they felt more could be done to protect them.
“In other stores, the cashiers have screens at their tills, but by us it’s all open. They give us masks and gloves, and they take our temperature when we come to work, but during the day there is not much other protection for us. We only get checked when we come to work but not always when we leave.”
According to the Shoprite Group, employees arriving for work get their temperatures checked daily, mobile clinics have been dispatched and plastic face shields have been issued to staff. Employees are also required to constantly clean their work spaces throughout their shift.
“The importance of strict hygiene and hand-washing procedures, as well as the clean-as-you-go principle – where surfaces are constantly cleaned and disinfected whilst working – are reinforced with all store personnel. In addition to the sanitary wipes provided at each store entrance for use on hands and trolley and basket handles, customers may also make use of the spray bottles with disinfectant, that is available at till points,” the company said.