Stores install shields to protect workers, customers

Grocery stores across Wisconsin and the U.S. this week have been installing protective plastic shields at checkouts to help prevent cashiers and shoppers from possibly spreading COVID-19.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia or death.

The now-familiar concept of social distancing — keeping a distance of 6 feet from other people — isn’t always possible in store checkout lines, where customers are often just a conveyor belt’s width away from a cashier.

So retailers, and grocers in particular, have erected the clear plastic shields between customers and cashiers.

In the Milwaukee area, Sendik’s, Outpost and Costco all have shields in place.

Kroger’s Milwaukee-based Roundy’s division is installing shields at the checkouts of all 106 of its stores in Wisconsin and expects to have the work completed by next week.

The company operates the Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market and Copps locations in Wisconsin.

Kroger said it plans to install shields at all of its more than 2,700 stores across the U.S.

Walmart is also installing shields. Grocery stores have seen their business soar as authorities urge people to go out only for essentials, leading them to stay and cook more at home.

The stores have been extremely busy and forced to close earlier to give workers more time to clean and restock as products fly off the shelves.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

JOURNAL SENTINEL ZHIHAN HUANG / MILWAUKEE Reed Kailing checks out his groceries at Sendik’s Mequon store on Wednesday. Sendik’s installed more than 120 protective plastic shields at checkout lanes to protect customers and employees from the coronavirus.