If you ’ve ever been to a build - your - own - meal eating house likeChipotle , you ’re in all likelihood conversant with the Plexiglas “ sneeze guards ” that shield the loose containers of food from customer on the other side . Now , food market storesacross New England and beyond are using standardised ones to limit the spread head of the newcoronavirus .

WMTWreportsthat Stop & Shop , Shaw ’s , and Star Market will put in plexiglass barriers at checkout station as part of a large campaign to encourage customer to shop safely and protect the employees who are serving them . The companies have also designated certain hours of operation forseniorsand immunocompromised shoppers only , and posted sign that prompt masses to stay 6 feet away from each other while in the store .

“ We ’ll be putting tape on the story to show customers how far back 6 foot is from the stick stamp pad and how far they should be brook away from other customers while they ’re waiting in line , ” Stop & Shop voice Jennifer Brogan order WMTW .

Grocery stores are taking extra safety precautions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Albertsons , the companionship that runs Shaw ’s and Star Market — as well as Acme , Safeway , and several other grocery store mountain range across the country — announce it ’ll be add the plexiglass sheets in more than 2200 stores over the next two weeks .

“ We are doing everything we can to provide a safe , unattackable , and comfy shopping infinite for our value customers , ” Vivek Sankaran , President of the United States and CEO of Albertsons , said in apress release . “ This is an extra step to protect our associates who are in unvarying contact with the world and allow our client with spare reassurance as well . ”

Albertsons and Stop & Shop have both apply salary increases for their workers , too ; Stop & Shop isprovidinga 10 percent bump for all current trades union hourly employee , and Albertsons debuted a young “ Appreciation Pay ” platform that entitles associate in stores , distribution inwardness , manufacturing plants , and delivery services to a impermanent $ 2 - per - minute increase .

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