After ongoing discussions with Albertsons/Safeway, the company has updated its policy for members working at Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pak N Save regarding wearing masks and gloves while at work.
The information below will be shared in stores by the company:
Masks and Gloves
- Associates can wear masks or gloves if they choose to do so. Please remember that these items are in critically low supply and are not recommended by the CDC unless you are a healthcare worker or caring for someone who is sick.
- If you choose to wear gloves, you must provide your own and follow safety guidelines for usage:
- Gloves MUST NEVER take the place of thorough handwashing
- Gloves must be changed every time hands are washed, at a minimum once per hour
- Gloves can be sanitized as needed throughout the hour, prior to the next handwashing
Additionally, the company will be posting the following FAQs:
Q: What do I say if customers ask me why I’m not wearing gloves?
A: The CDC does not currently recommend the use of gloves, unless you work in healthcare. The best way to protect all of us is through staying home if you feel sick, frequent hand washing, and social distancing (keeping at least 6 feet of distance between each other).
Q: What do I say if customers ask me why I’m not wearing a mask?
A: The CDC does not currently recommend the use of masks, unless you work in healthcare, are caring for someone who is sick, or are sick yourself. The best way to protect all of us is through staying home if you feel sick, frequent hand washing, and social distancing (keeping at least 6 feet of distance between each other).
Q: What do I say to customers about the availability of hard to find items (ie. toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc.)?
A: The retail food industry is experiencing a higher demand on selected items like dairy, paper and cleaning products than ever before. We are working closely with our suppliers to get the items you need as quickly as possible. We continue to receive shipments and replenish our shelves to the best of our ability every day. To make it easier for you to find the items you need, we have reduced store hours so we can spend more time stocking our shelves. And, we’ve hired more people to put the product on our shelves. We appreciate your patience as we work to meet this increasing demand.
Q: What do I say to customers if they ask why we aren’t closed?
A: Our stores are defined by the United States government as “critical infrastructure” and are vital to communities so that people have access to the food, medications, and other essential goods they need during this serious time.
Due to limited availability throughout the United States, members will need to provide their own optional gloves and masks if none are available in stores.
