New Boston Walmart closes for cleaning, COVID precaution | Will reopen Sunday morning

This June 25, 2019, file photo shows the entrance to a Walmart in Pittsburgh. Walmart is spreading out its traditional one-day Black Friday deals over three weekends in November 2020 in an effort to reduce crowds in its stores amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
This June 25, 2019, file photo shows the entrance to a Walmart in Pittsburgh. Walmart is spreading out its traditional one-day Black Friday deals over three weekends in November 2020 in an effort to reduce crowds in its stores amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

NEW BOSTON, Texas - First appearing on social media, Walmart-New Boston announced the closing of its store at 2 p.m. Friday. Corporate representatives later confirmed this, citing rising COVID numbers in the area as the reason for this.

This is what company officials had to say, in part:

"As an essential business and a member of the New Boston community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time.

"As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases, and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic," said Lauren Willis, communications director for Walmart, Western U.S. "In support of this effort, we have chosen to temporarily close our New Boston location at 800 James Bowie Dr today at 2 p.m. as part of a company-initiated program."

Willis said this would allow extra time for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store. It will also give store associates additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store to reopen.

"We plan to reopen the store to customers at 6 a.m. on Sept. 12 (Sunday)," she said.

Willis said everything they are doing is for the well-being of its associates and customers.

In "counties and where there are state or local mask mandates, associates will be required to wear masks inside our facilities, including stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. The CDC updates its data on transmission rates weekly, so the guidance on mask usage is likely to change over time in different locations.

"When the store reopens (Sunday), we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings," she said.

"In addition to offering COVID-19 vaccines to customers through walk-in or online appointments, we're also offering easy access to vaccines for associates. Associates can receive their vaccinations at their home store pharmacy, on or off the clock.

"Should associates choose to schedule their vaccinations elsewhere, we will provide two hours of paid leave. Associates who receive the vaccine are given a $150 bonus for doing so and up to three days paid leave, should they experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine."

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