Coronavirus News: Fresh Market Now Requiring Face Coverings For Customers And Employees

The Fresh Market has made face coverings a requirement at its stores to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The grocer said that both customers and employees are required to wear a face covering at its stores, starting on Tuesday. The company said the decision is “in accordance with the CDC’s [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] latest recommendations.”

“The health and safety of our team members and guests, as well as the cleanliness of our stores, remain our top priorities at The Fresh Market,” the company said in a statement. “We are actively working with our safety experts, vendors and suppliers to ensure we are taking all precautionary measures and adhering to recommendations from federal and state health officials to prevent the spread of germs.”

The Fresh Market has also provided instructions from the CDC on how to make a face covering, reminding customers to wash hands before and after putting on the mask, which should fit snugly and include multiple layers of fabric.

Beyond the face-coverings requirement, The Fresh Market has changed its store hours to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, unless dictated by a state requirement. Senior shopping hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays.

Some product limitations are also in place at The Fresh Market stores, including high demand items such as milk, eggs, chicken, paper products, and disinfectants.

The company has also enacted enhanced cleaning protocols in its stores and is practicing social distancing by limiting the number of customers in its stores, adding plexiglass shields at the checkout lanes, and implemented contactless credit card payments.

Gloves, as well as masks, have also been provided for its workers along with a handwashing schedule.