Union Square Trader Joe's Closes After Possible Coronavirus Case

UNION SQUARE, MANHATTAN — The Trader Joe's at Union Square has temporarily closed down after the grocery chain learned that an employee there might have the new coronavirus, the company announced Monday.

Both the 142 East 14th St. grocery store and neighboring wine store were one of three Trader Joe's locations in the country that closed Monday for either a crew member that tested positive for COVID-19 or is receiving treatment for a suspected case, the store said.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed the store for thorough cleaning and sanitization," Trader Joe's said in an announcement on their website.

The staff member from the Union Square Trader Joe's was last in the store on Sunday, the company said.

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They advised customers who visited the store over the 14-day period ending on March 22nd, and have health-related concerns, to contact the New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus Hotline at (888) 364-3065.

The other two stores closed because of possible employee cases were in Long Island and Maryland.

As of Monday evening, the coronavirus had killed 125 people in New York City and there were 13,119 confirmed cases of the virus.

The closure comes as New Yorkers flock to many of the city's grocery stores to buy up supplies as they follow Gov. Andrew Cuomo's stay-at-home order. Grocery stores are one of several essential services that Cuomo allowed to stay open as all other businesses are asked to work from home or shut down.

Trader Joe's staff said they will continue to pay crew members at closed locations even during the temporary closures. They did not immediately respond to a request for more information about when the store will reopen.

"We are connecting with all Crew Members at the respective locations, encouraging anyone who may have been in contact to follow CDC-recommended self-monitoring guidelines and to call their healthcare providers right away if they develop any symptoms," the store said.

"...As soon as the store has been fully cleaned and restocked, we plan to reopen. As we continue to respond to this rapidly evolving situation, our focus remains on doing whatever is necessary to safeguard the health and safety of our Crew Members and customers and best support our communities.