Walmart is closing nearly 60 stores in COVID-19 hotspots around the United States

Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

In December, Walmart temporarily shut down around 60 stores in COVID-19 hotspots throughout the United States to sanitize them against the virus, according to Reuters.

A company representative stated the stores in Texas and New Jersey were closed for two days for cleaning "to provide a safe and clean in-store atmosphere for our workers and consumers." They didn't say whether any of the employees at the locations had tested positive for COVID-19.

"We've been actively watching all stores around the country, and based on market-related data, we've decided to temporarily shut down locations on a store-by-store basis," the representative added.

Walmart has a total of 4,742 stores in the United States, according to its website. At the outset of the epidemic, the corporation implemented a strategy of temporarily closing stores overnight to clean them, as recommended by the CDC.

“We continue to follow and communicate the CDC’s recommended guidance on behaviors like washing hands, social distancing, and the cleaning of surfaces,” Walmart said back in March 2020. “And we have made significant operational changes in our stores, clubs, DCs and FCs this month—such as closing overnight for cleaning, starting to install sneeze guards at checkout and pharmacies, using wipes and sprayers for carts, putting in signing for social distancing and implementing a COVID-19 emergency leave policy.”

4 Jan 2022