New Seattle grocery store rules, strategies come with COVID-19 etiquette

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To help stop the spread of COVID-19 and encourage social distancing, many grocery stores in Seattle are implementing creative strategies to protect both customers and employees. One of the most widely adopted strategies is creating capacity guidelines to limit the number of customers shopping at the same time and one-way aisles to control the flow of traffic in the stores.

The Kroger Family, which runs stores such as QFC and Fred Meyer, implemented limits to lower the number of customers in the store to 50% of the building's code capacity starting April 7. While the standard capacity for a grocery store is one person per 60 square feet, the new measures will reduce that number to one person per 120 square feet.

The grocery chains will use industry-leading QueVision technology, which provides a real-time count of customers entering and exiting the store, to enforce this new measure.

"By leveraging QueVision, our technology system that uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics, we will be able to more efficiently support our new capacity limits, creating a safer environment for our customers and associates," said Yael Cosset, Kroger's chief technology and digital officer in a press release.

The new measure will mean that if you try to enter a store that is at full capacity, you might be asked to wait outside until space is available to safely shop. The one-way aisles and designated places to stand while waiting to checkout will keep shoppers from coming into close proximity from each other.

Costco also unveiled new social distancing guidelines in their stores, limiting entrance to two people per membership card and closing all warehouses at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays to give employees time to restock. And starting on May 4, all guests "must wear a mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose at all times while at Costco," according to a post updated Wednesday morning on the company's web page.

In addition to customer capacity limits, Kroger has also installed plexiglass barriers for check-out clerks and has ordered personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves for all employees. Clerks have also stopped bagging groceries in reusable totes to reduce transmission risks. Shoppers at Safeway, Albertsons and Fred Meyer were given the option to either bag their own groceries in reusable bags, or use the store's paper ones.

Last month, stores across the country began limiting hours and creating designated senior hours to help at-risk populations shop safely as well asking customers to not use reusable bags at this time.

Local cities have also implemented creative regulations to make essential shopping safer. Lake Stevens adopted a system that suggests residents shop on days designated by last name. Local businesses are not required to comply, but Mayor Brett Gailey hoped the suggestion would reduce crowding in grocery stores.

"During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers and communities," said Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger's senior vice president of operations.

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