Target and Walmart to Limit Number of Shoppers in Stores as a Precaution for COVID-19

Published April 4, 2020

Major retailers Target and Walmart have made announcements regarding limiting the number of shoppers allowed in their stores starting April 4, 2020.

In a press release, Walmart announced “Starting Saturday, we will limit the number of customers who can be in a store at once. Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity.

To manage this restriction, the associates at a store will mark a queue at a single-entry door (in most cases the Grocery entrance) and direct arriving customers there, where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted. Associates and signage will remind customers of the importance of social distancing while they’re waiting to enter a store – especially before it opens in the morning.

Once a store reaches its capacity, customers will be admitted inside on a “1-out-1-in” basis.”

Walmart also indicated that they will institute one-way movement through their aisles in some of their stores, using floor markers and direction from associates. They expect this to help more customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop.

Target also made a press release stating that they will be monitoring and possibly limiting the number of shoppers inside their stores.

From a Target press release published April 2, 2020 “It’s important that our guests have enough space to shop safely and comfortably. So beginning April 4, Target will actively monitor and, when needed, limit the total number of people inside based on the store’s specific square footage. If metering is needed, a team member will help guests into a designated waiting area outside with social distancing markers, while others will guide guests inside the store and keep things moving quickly and conveniently. It’s another step to encourage social distancing, on top of the signage, floor decals and audio messages already in place at our stores.”