Best Buy Initiates Curbside Only Service Due To Coronavirus

CONCORD, NH — One of the nation's largest electronics retailer made changes to its business services Sunday due to the new coronavirus. Customers of Best Buy are no longer physically allowed inside its brick-and-mortar stores in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect employees. The company is asking customers to purchase items at its website and app and employees will deliver the orders either by mail or curbside.

Employees will also service customers curbside for purchases that also aren't made in advance or online.

"Only employees will be allowed in the store, but we are determined to serve you as fully as we can," the company stated in an email. "Unfortunately, we are temporarily unable to continue our product trade-in and recycling services. For those who want to continue shopping with us online or on the app, we will, of course, still get you what you want."

Beginning Monday, the company will no longer deliver appliances and large items inside of homes but will deliver them to a customer's doorstep. While the company will still be selling appliances and delivering them to homes, all installations, haul-aways, and repairs are being suspended.

"This means we will take the item as close as we possibly can to the front door of your home without bringing it inside," the email stated. "We know that this change will be inconvenient, and we are truly sorry. It was made with our employees' and your best interests at heart."

Customers who have made purchases and scheduled installations at any of the 1,500 stores worldwide will be informed of future delivery options during the next 30 days.

Employees, the company stated, are working on a voluntary basis. All employees who are sick and not feeling well are being ordered to stay home. They will be paid while off and sick, the company added. Any employees who contract COVID-19 are also being told to stay home and are being paid. The same is being done for employees who have children at home from school during the outbreak.

Employees have also been given a "temporary pay increase," according to the company. The company added that it was "grateful" that many states and localities believe Best Buy is an "essential business, allowing us to serve you when you need it most."

What You Can Do To Stop The Spread

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms. Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

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