Photo credit: Michael Sullivan

August 26, 2021 1:40 p.m. 

In the KQEN Business Spotlight:

Roseburg’s Walmart store on Northwest Stewart Parkway is closed until Saturday morning.

Information from Walmart Corporate Communications to News Radio 1240 KQEN said the decision to temporarily close the store is part of a company-initiated move to allow third party cleaning crews to have time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the building. Associates will also be restocking the shelves and preparing for the location to open at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.

A statement from Walmart said that 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”. The statement said given the rise in positive cases through the Delta variant, Walmart will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public outdoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.

Walmart said when the store reopens, they will continue conducting associate health assessments. Associates will be required to wear masks.

The release said in addition to offering COVID-19 vaccines to customers, Walmart is offering easy access to vaccines to associates. Associates can receive the vaccinations at their home store pharmacy, on or off the clock. Associates who receive the vaccine are given a $150 bonus for doing so and up to 3 days paid leave, should they experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine.