Fairfield Trader Joe's Closed Again After Workers Get Coronavirus

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Trader Joe’s store in Fairfield is closed for the second time in less than a month after employees tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The grocer at 2258 Black Rock Turnpike will reopen Wednesday, Trader Joe’s announced Monday on its website, adding that Thursday was the last time a staff member who tested positive for the virus was in the store. A Trader Joe’s representative did not immediately respond to an email asking how many workers at the Fairfield location had tested positive.

“We have made sure all Crew Members ... have been informed and understand the steps to take to best safeguard their own health and the health of their community,” the announcement said. “For any unplanned store closure, Trader Joe’s pays all Crew Members for their scheduled shifts.”

The grocery chain announced last month it is providing up to two weeks of additional paid sick time to crew members with symptoms.

“While we are working hard to get each store open as soon as possible, we continue to have a good supply of product available in neighboring stores,” Monday’s announcement said.

In addition to Fairfield, Trader Joe’s has locations in Westport, Darien and Orange. As of Monday, the Fairfield store was the only location reported by the company to be currently closed because one or more employees contracted the virus.

Across Connecticut, there have been more than 25,000 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus — more than 10,000 of which were in Fairfield County — and nearly 2,000 virus-associated deaths, according to state data. As of Monday, Fairfield had 366 confirmed cases and 43 town residents had died after getting the virus, according to First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick.

Trader Joe’s Public Relations Director Kenya Friend-Daniel in early April encouraged any customers with concerns or symptoms to contact their health care provider when the Fairfield store was closed for several days for cleaning after a worker was diagnosed with the virus.