Checkers stores in Durbanville, Zevenwacht and N1 City Mall have all reopened after being temporarily closed due to staff testing positive for Covid-19.
Some of the stores were closed on Thursday April 23 and, following lockdown protocol, they were sanitised and cleaned over 48 hours before all three reopened by Sunday April 26.
A statement from the Shoprite Group said employees at the three stores had been sent to the group’s mobile clinics after they were found to have high temperatures. They had then undergone Covid-19 testing.
“Those results were then shared with the relevant health-care provider and all positive cases are elevated to the NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases) and Department of Health for further action. Following the positive results, the stores were closed immediately and a professional decontamination company was brought in to sanitise and deep clean the store till its reopening, which was done after consultation with the provincial Department of Health.”
The statement said employees who had had close contact with those infected were self-quarantining for 14 days.
N1 City Checkers closed on Friday and the entire mall did likewise in accordance with Department of Health regulations.
Nadine Briers, the spokeswoman for N1 City Mall owners Growthpoint, said: “The centre was closed on Friday April 24 and after the area was sanitised, the centre reopened on Sunday April 26 with Checkers resuming service afternoon.”
The Shoprite Group said its employees were having their temperatures checked daily when they arrived for work.
“Plastic face shields have also been rolled out to employees while stringent hygiene and sanitising protocols remain in place across all our operations. This includes employees of merchandising, security and cleaning companies undergoing temperature scanning while employees’ face shields are santised on the hour and at all till points staff also sanitise till surfaces and their own hands.”
The Western Cape Department of Health confirmed the stores had been closed and that the cases had been reported.