Walmart temporarily closing Richardson store for cleaning, restocking

Walmart announced plans Jan. 7 to temporarily close its neighborhood market store at 1501 Buckingham Road, Richardson, to allow a third-party specialist the opportunity to clean and sanitize the store due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.

The store is scheduled to be closed from 2 p.m. Jan. 7 until 6 a.m. Jan. 9, according to a statement from Walmart spokesperson Charles Crowson.

"As an essential business and a member of the Richardson community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time," Crowson said in the statement. "Everything we’re doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and health experts. We will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully-vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission."

Dallas County reported 6,310 new cases of the coronavirus Jan. 6.

"This is the highest total number of new cases we’ve ever reported for one day," County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement. "Keep in mind that these numbers do not include home test kits, which are being increasingly used by those who can find them."

On Jan. 5, Dallas County reported a four-day total of 4,800 new cases since the beginning of the year.

Crowson said Walmart employees will also use the time the store is closed to restock shelves and prepare it to once again serve the community.

"When the store reopens [Jan. 9], we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings," he said. "These protocols and convenient access to vaccinations are in addition to the extensive measures we’ve put in place during the pandemic to help protect our associates and customers. We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind."

972-235-9389. www.walmart.com/store/2974-richardson-tx