Coronavirus: Publix Limits Sanitizer Purchases; Suspends Sampling

LAKELAND, FL — As stores sell out of sanitizing products in the wake of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, Publix headquarters in Lakeland announced that it is limiting the number of items customers can purchase.

Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said the grocery store chain is placing limits on various sanitizing products as well as face masks, gloves and disposable plates, cups and eating utensils.

As store shelves empty, Publix is limiting customer purchases to two of the following items:

• Hand soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Rubbing alcohol
• Face masks
• Gloves
• Disinfectant wipes and sprays
• Tissues
• Disposable cups, plates and eating utensils
• Bleach

Patch has not received notices of purchase limits at any other Florida stores.

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In addition to the purchase limits, Publix announced it will discontinue food sampling.

"Out of an abundance of caution and consideration for the health and safety of our valued customers, we will discontinue, until further notice, our Aprons sampling, as well as all other staffed and unstaffed demos in our stores," according to a statement released by Publix.

Costco discount warehouse stores also announced that it is temporarily discontinuing its popular food samplings over safety concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

Trader Joe's will continue to distribute food samples but, instead of placing samples on a single platter that allows customers to choose their own, the store will distribute samples individually as customers request them.

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