CARMEL — Employees at grocery stores across the state are tryng to keep up with the demand as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Many are looking to hire in order to continue serving the community. Stores are also looking to find ways to protect customers and employees alike.
At Market District in Carmel, there are now decals on the ground telling customers exactly where to stand when they are in line. It's part of the effort to promote social distancing. At each cash register, they now have a plastic barrier between the customer and employee. Employees are also wearing gloves.
"I think it's great," one shopper said. "I'm happy to see the plexiglass. Anything that gives us a little barrier between each other is perfect."
Customers filling up carts full of groceries to feed their families during the pandemic are also taking precautions.
"I have my gloves on," customer Charles Shinaver said. "Washing my hands before I go in there. When they handed me the cart they just said they cleaned off the cart."
Increasing their sanitizing efforts throughout the day is a focus for employees at Market District and GetGo.
"We are taking every possible precaution to safeguard the team members knowing that this is a position or these are positions that you do have personal interaction," Jannah Jablonowski, spokeswoman for Market District and GetGo, said.
In order to keep up with the demand, both Market District and GetGo need to fill hundreds of open positions.
"We fall into the supermarket, pharmacy and fuel categories," Jablonowski said. "We really need help across the board as traffic continues to increase."
As the need continues both current and future employees are receiving bonus pay as a way to show them their work during the pandemic is appreciated.
