Walmart announced this week that it will soon begin taking its employees’ temperatures as they report to work. The company is also planning to give its workers the opportunity to wear masks and gloves while on the job. Both measures are part of the company’s response to the continued spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The infrared thermometers could take up to three weeks to arrive, the company said. They will be used to check employee temperatures at all Walmart’s stores, including supercenters, neighborhood markets, distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations. The masks and gloves for employees are slated to arrive in the next two weeks.
“Any associate with a temperature of 100.0 degrees will be paid for reporting to work and asked to return home and seek medical treatment if necessary,” according to a statement on the company's website from Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner and Sam’s Club CEO Kath McLay. “The associate will not be able to return to work until they are fever-free for at least three days.”
The company has also asked its employees to look out for any symptoms of the virus and to not go to work if they are not feeling well, according to the statement.
