The Olympia Fields Walmart, 21000 Western Ave., closed at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec, 28, to give a special team time to sanitize the store and to give store associates “additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store” for its reopening at 6 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30.
The Homewood Walmart at 17550 Halsted St. is open.
Ashley Nolan, part of Walmart’s corporate affairs team, said in a statement the decision was made due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, noting: “we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic.”
“Everything we’re doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts. We will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission,” Nolan’s statement said.
When the store reopens Thursday, “we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings,” she said.
Walmart is offering vaccines to customers and store associates by appointment or walk-up scheduling, and the company offers $150 bonuses for associates who choose to become fully vaccinated and have not previously received the vaccination incentive.
“These protocols and convenient access to vaccinations are in addition to the extensive measures we’ve put in place during the pandemic to help protect our associates and customers,” according to Nolan’s statement. “We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind.”