Grocery Shoppers Urged To Shop Alone, Social Distance, Adapt

LINCOLN – Nebraskans are urged to shop alone, practice social distancing and call their city mayors if overcrowding becomes an issue at grocery stores.

At his daily press conference, Gov. Pete Ricketts said the six-foot distance needs to be kept between shoppers.

Ricketts: “It is so important again that, if you’re going to go out shopping, to remember that we are social distancing. We’re going to keep that physical distance between people to slow the spread of the virus.

“So, if you’re going to go shopping, go by yourself. Don’t make it a big family affair. Go for the things that you just need and, when you’re in the store, make sure you keep your distance.”

Kathy Siefken of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association urged Nebraskans to listen to Gov. Ricketts and the mayors of their cities.

Siefken: “Our challenge today, as the governor said, is social distancing. Each one of us has a role to play in keeping our families, our friends and our communities safe.”

“Our customers need to take this issued very, very seriously. If you go to the grocery store and the parking lot is full. Go home. Come back later when there aren’t as many shoppers.”

 

She said families should designate one shopper and weekly shopping trips should be planned.

Siefken: “Shop with your eyes.  Don’t touch all the products in the store. Touch only the products you intend to purchase. We know that the packaging is not a big issued with the coronavirus and that the virus is not spread through the packaging. The virus is spread through the moisture droplets, but let’s not take a chance. Let’s keep everything as sanitized as we possibly can.”

She said stay home if you are ill and keep your distance from store employees.
Siefken: “Give everyone an opportunity to breath their own air and not yours.”

She asked customers not to bring reusable bags or backpacks into the store and do not stockpile.

Siefken: “We’ve said this over and over again, there is plenty of food. Purchase what you need and leave some for your neighbors. “

She said customers will notice changes for some items, like toilet paper.

Siefken: “Manufacturers are becoming more efficient and what they’re doing is making one size of toilet paper, not three different sizes. So, you’re going to go into the store and your’re going to see mega-rolls. I’m not talking about the big wheels, I’m talking about the rolls that just barely fit on your home toilet paper roll. The reason you will see those is because they are more efficient and it’s faster to produce those items and get them out to the stores to replenish those supplies.”

She said for the most part customers are respecting times set aside for the elderly and social distancing, but said local authorities will intervene if store overcrowding becomes  an issue.