Stop & Shop Implements One-Way Aisles: Coronavirus

Stop and Shop grocery stores look a little different now, in an effort to streamline shopping and reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. Starting Tuesday, stores have implemented one-way aisles.

All Massachusetts and Rhode Island stores made the change to help spread out customers and workers to comply with social distancing mandates, WJAR reported.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo asked all essential stores, such as pharmacies and grocery stores, to come up with "creative" ways to keep shoppers and employees safe, such as implementing one-way aisles. In an executive order, Raimondo ordered that all open businesses limit the number of shoppers to 20 percent of the building's fire capacity.

Shoppers are reminded to shop as infrequently as possible, maintain six feet of distance between themselves and others and wear a fabric face covering to help slow the spread of respiratory droplets. This can be a scarf, t-shirt or home-sewn mask. Surgical masks and N95 respirators should be kept for health care workers who need them, health officials said.

Like many other essential retailers, Stop and Shop has increased pay for employees during the coronavirus crisis. The Massachusetts-based grocery giant offered a 10 percent raise to all union employees, as well as two weeks of paid sick time for those who are required to self-quarantine and flexible hours to help employees dealing with school and child care closures.

Patch has reached out to Stop and Shop for comment.