ShopRite Responds To Employees Testing Positive For COVID-19

Photo Courtesy Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media

  MANCHESTER – Grocery stores are some of the only businesses still open. Since they are a necessity, people have been concerned to read reports that grocery store workers are getting sick as well.

  Reports have come in that a single employee tested positive at the Manchester ShopRite and the Fischer Boulevard ShopRite in Toms River.

  A Facebook post by the Manchester ShopRite stated that “the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the community of Manchester has been felt by us all. Many of us know a friend, family member or co-worker who has been affected. The same holds true at ShopRite of Manchester, where a member of our work family – the associates who provide essential services every day – has reported a confirmed case of COVID-19.”

  The post added that the grocery store was prepared and has implemented the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended protocols to reduce the spread of the virus, including:

  • Making sure the diagnosed associate is no longer in the workplace
  • Asking colleagues who may have been in close contact with that person to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days
  • Implementing deep cleaning procedures including sanitizing all workspaces used by the associate and common areas
  • Taking extra steps to deep clean and sanitize food contact surfaces and high-touch areas throughout all stores while promoting social distancing and putting up Plexiglas shields to provide a measure of protection to our associates and customers.

  To learn more about these measures, visit facts.wakefern.com.

  The post added that ShopRite of Manchester is “committed to transparency, and we think sharing this information with you is the right thing to do. We also feel it’s important to protect the privacy of our hardworking colleagues; should we learn of additional associates who have been affected, we’ll continue to implement the CDC protocols.”

  “For nearly 75 years, ShopRite has played an important role during times of crisis and, once again, we see our customers – many of whom are also our friends and neighbors – turning to us for the food and supplies they need,” the post added.

   “While we can’t predict the evolution of this unpredictable challenge that Manchester is facing, please know we are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of our associates and customers while continuing to serve the community we all call home,” the post concluded.