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Giant Eagle to begin enforcing how many shoppers are allowed inside

Posted at 3:30 PM, Apr 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-06 20:35:19-04

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Giant Eagle will be enforcing the number of guests allowed in their stored at one time due to COVID-19 concerns.

Each store will allow up to 50% of occupancy allowed by fire code, including team members, and will start using every other register when possible.

The new maximum occupancy will be posted near the entrance of the stores.

Giant Eagle will also have team members monitoring social distancing between shoppers.

"The new maximum occupancy will be 50 percent of the traditional maximum occupancy,” said Giant Eagle spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski. "We’re also going to start having dedicated team members whose job is really going to be to enforce this occupancy and really monitor that as well as make sure our guests are being respectful of social distancing in store.”

She says if the store is filled, you’ll have to wait.

"We would ask guests to wait outside in line, but at that 6-foot distance,” said Jablonowski.

With folks presumably going to the grocery store less, will there be a shortage of inventory because of people stocking up more? Jablonowski says she doesn’t think so.

"Over the past few weeks have really seen supply rebound as we’ve been able to get more deliveries into our stores to help bring us back to that close to regular in stock position, so we’ve been fortunate to be able to lift purchase requirements, lift purchase limits on the number of items so those are only still in place for things like toilet paper, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes,” she said.

Dan Kavach said he is stocking up for his extended time indoors.

"Picking up groceries, trying to shop for the week and prepare for the Easter Weekend so I can have it at home with my family,” said Kavach.

Although grocery stores like Giant Eagle Market District in Strongsville will begin limiting the number of people who can be inside at once, Kavach says he’s not changing his shopping habits.

"I know that even if I have to stand in line to get in, I’ll come back next week and do it all over again,” he said.

Giant Eagle isn’t the only spot making changes.

Walmart announced they’re limiting its stores to 20% capacity, or five people per 1,000 feet of shopping space.

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