How Seattle grocery stores are changing amid COVID-19 concerns

Thursday was the first day Safeway and Albertson’s set aside early hours for seniors and medically vulnerable customers.

Karl Schroeder, Seattle division president of the Albertson Companies, says the stores have reserved 7-9 a.m., every Tuesday and Thursday, for elder shoppers and those at risk. He says the change has been well received.

“I met a number of folks who told me heartwarming stories about how they appreciated the potentially quiet time to come in,” Schroeder said. “One woman shared that she hasn’t been out for 10 days.”

Not every department was open. Some pharmacies were still closed. But once the staffing schedules are worked out, pharmacies will have similar hours.

“It’s not something we’ve ever done before and I’ve been doing this for 44 years… it’s kind of a fluid situation here.”

Other local stores have also started offering early hours for at-risk customers. They say the separate hours make it safe for both customers and employees.

Meanwhile, UFCW 21, the union representing 30,000 grocery workers in Washington announced protections to help employees stay safe while working in public.

Grocery workers have been swamped as they work through the pandemic.

Under the agreement, workers may receive up to two weeks’ pay if they’re infected or are required to self-quarantine. They’re given more flexibility with their schedules to accommodate childcare.

Spokesperson Tom Geiger says in addition to the agreement, they’re having ongoing discussions about other concerns like social distancing in stores.

“Some stores, in some cases, are busier than ever,” Geiger said. “How can we practice the distancing being described by the CDC and at the same store allow as many people at the store, as many as they want?”

The agreement also allows employers to temporarily hire workers during this crisis.

Just this week, Safeway and Albertson’s announced they have 2,000 immediate openings including positions in their meat, deli and bakery departments.