Walmart in Neptune closing for COVID cleaning, restocking shelves

NEPTUNE - Walmart on Route 66 is temporarily closed Monday through all of Tuesday to "clean and sanitize" the building and restock shelves as part of the retailer's COVID-19 protocols, the company said Monday.

Walmart said the store will reopen at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. The closure is part of an ongoing company-initiated program to assist health officials working to fight the pandemic, the company said.

"This will allow extra time for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store and will also give our associates additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store to once again serve the community," Walmart said.

The company said it could not provide details about a specific COVID outbreak among employees at the store. "While we are not able to provide information about those impacted for privacy reasons, we are working with any affected associates so they have the time needed to get well," a spokesperson said. 

The move comes as several areas of the country, including Monmouth and Ocean counties, have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases.

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"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," Walmart said in a statement.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 can be spread through various means, including breathing in particles that contain the virus or touching the eyes, nose or mouth with your hands that contain the virus on them.

In area of high transmission, Walmart and Sam's Club employees are required to wear a mask or face covering while working indoors, regardless of vaccination status. In accordance with CDC guidance, Walmart also "strongly" encourages customers to wear masks inside stores.

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"As an essential business and a member of the Neptune community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time," the company said. "When the store reopens Wednesday, we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings."

David P. Willis: dwillis@gannettnj.com.