The Walmart Supercenter in Linden has been closed to customers in the wake of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the region, the company said.
The store, on West Edgar Road, was closed on Tuesday and is expected to reopen Thursday morning.
“As you know, 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. In support of this effort, we have chosen to temporarily close our Linden store location… as part of an ongoing company-initiated program,” Walmart said in a statement released to NJ Advance Media Wednesday morning.
“This will allow extra time for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store and will also give our associates additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store to once again serve the community,” the company statement added. “We plan to reopen the store to customers at 6 a.m. on Thursday, December 30.”
Although Walmart did not indicate whether there have been widespread COVID infections at its Linden store, a report by NBC4 New York said dozens of employees have tested positive for the virus.
Update (2:30 p.m.): A Walmart spokeswoman told NJ Advance Media that the numbers of COVID infections reported by NBC4 are “extremely over-estimated and factually wrong,” but she is unable to provide a specific number because of privacy reasons.
A social media post shows a sign informing customers that the Linden store will be closed until Thursday morning, and the sign says the store’s pharmacy will remain open with alternative pickup options.
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Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com.