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Target is making some huge changes in response to COVID-19. The Minneapolis-based chain is taking several precautionary measures to support the health and safety of its patrons–reducing store hours and adding in more cleanings.
Starting this week, all Target stores will close no later than 9 PM. According to the company's press release, they are hoping that this "will provide the team additional time for cleaning and restocking each day."
The retailer plans to stay open, explaining, “Families are counting on Target for critical supplies during this challenging time, and we’ll continue to do all that we can to keep our stores open. For weeks, we’ve been responding to the impact of the coronavirus by taking care of our team, rigorously cleaning our stores and helping our guests find the food, medicine and other essentials they need for themselves and their families.”
The store is also dedicating one hour each week to those with an increased health risk.
The release explains, "Target will reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday at stores nationwide for vulnerable guests – including elderly and those with underlying health concerns."
Target's press release also details other measures the company is taking to keep its customers healthy, including cleaning guest-facing surfaces (like touchscreens) every 30 minutes and closing all in-store eating areas.
Their new policies are also designed to benefit their employees, as they are waiving the company’s absenteeism policy and covering up to 14 days of quarantine and illness pay for team members with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
