USA Today reports, national grocery store chain Kroger is rolling out nationwide additional measures by Tuesday to protect customers and associates by limiting the number of shoppers permitted inside stores amid the coronavirus outbreak.
On Monday, Kroger said the shopper limits will vary by store size. But under Kroger’s new reduced capacity limits, the number will be 1 person per 120 square feet, according to a statement released by the company.
Kroger announced that its nearly 2,800 stores would be limiting capacity by half, and only allowing entry to a restricted number of people based on each store’s square footage. Kroger added that it would be monitoring the number of customers with the help of something called QueVision, which provides a count of customers entering stores.
Kroger is the nation’s largest supermarket chain. Besides Kroger stores, the company operates other supermarket chains in 35 states, including Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Mariano’s, Fry’s, Smith’s, King Soopers, QFC and others.
Kroger said it used 50% of the international building code’s calculated capacity as its standard to ensure the social distancing of customers.
“Kroger’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,” Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger’s senior vice president of operations, said in a statement.
“During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers and communities,” Adcock added.