It took a while, but Burnaby grocery stores have finally gotten up to speed with COVID-19 precautions.
The ones I have shopped in have staff limiting the number of customers, staff are sterilizing baskets, plexiglass shields have been erected, there are regular warning announcements over the PA, and one chain, T&T is even taking the temperature of customers.
It’s not perfect, but stores have implemented a lot of these measures and good for them.
Another feature are stickers placed on grocery store flood showing exactly where customers need to stand.
Things are pretty simple. Stand on the sticker and when the customer ahead of you at the cashier grabs their bags and leaves, then you step forward.
At least I thought it was simple. For others, not so much. (Note: I'm not saying ALL shoppers in my headline, so don't write and complain.)
My last few trips to the grocery store have each included a cashier having to speak up loudly to let a customer know that they need to stay on the floor sticker and wait.
And each of those times, the customer in question has complied, but with a pissy look on their face – as though getting their items onto the conveyor belt sooner is going to make some dramatic difference in their day.
I feel bad for the cashiers because they shouldn’t have to say something in order to protect their own safety. Customers should be extra, extra, extra (extra) vigilant when they enter a store. These workers are risking their lives for you, so be patient, Mr. or Mrs. Entitled, and wait a few precious seconds.
“As someone who is fortunate enough to be employed right now, here's my 2 cents worth about social distancing. I've seen numerous people wearing mask and gloves who are very vigilant about social distancing with other shoppers, but they don't seem to have a problem standing one foot or less away from staff in the business they are frequenting. Just curious about this; I'd really like to know their reasoning,” reader Lisa Finnigan wrote.
I’d like to know their reasoning, too.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
