LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Whole Foods Market has temporarily closed after multiple employees tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a company spokesperson.
The spokesperson did not say how many “team members” have tested positive for the virus, but said Whole Foods was notified that employees in their Lynnfield store had been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the “past few weeks.”
“We have been performing daily enhanced sanitation measures, have had multiple professional deep cleanings and disinfections throughout the facility, and are following the guidance of health and food safety authorities,” the Whole Foods spokesperson said in a statement.
“However, out of an abundance of caution, and to prioritize the safety of our team members, we have decided to temporarily close the store to further evaluate,” the spokesperson continued. “We are supporting our team members who have been diagnosed and are in quarantine. Additionally, we are paying all team members who are missing shifts due to the closure.”
It’s unclear when the MarketStreet Lynnfield store will reopen, but the company said the closure will likely be until at least Tuesday. All other Whole Foods locations will remain open.
Although the spokesperson said Whole Foods has been prioritizing the “health and safety” of their customers and team members, employees across the country have protested against working conditions as coronavirus cases continue to rise at the Amazon-owned supermarket chain, according to The Guardian.
The rash of infections and subsequent closure of the Lynnfield store follows a virus fatality at the nearby Swampscott Whole Foods Market last month. Leon Marin, 53, an active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Lynn who worked at the Swampscott supermarket, died from COVID-19 on April 15.
In a statement, a Whole Foods spokesperson said Sunday the company would continue to take the following measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19:
- Stores are operating under social distancing and crowd control measures. Plexiglass barriers have been installed at check-out counters and the company is requiring temperature checks and face masks for anyone working in their stores and facilities.
- Whole Foods has implemented enhanced daily cleanliness and disinfection protocols across all stores and facilities, on top of existing standard protocols.
- Stores are closing up to two hours early to give employees more time to restock shelves, sanitize stores, and rest in preparation for the next day.
In a statement posted to the Town of Lynnfield Facebook page, the town said its Health Department and Office of Emergency Management is “fully aware of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases among employees at Whole Foods Lynnfield.”
“Whole Foods management has reported cases involving employees and is working with town officials in a proactive manner to ensure that all protocols and guidance are being followed,” reads the Town of Lynnfield statement. “It is not unusual for essential businesses that have remained open and continue to serve the public directly during this pandemic to experience positive COVID-19 test results for employees.
“The Board of Health remains confident in the policy and procedures that are being followed to keep customers safe,” reads the town statement.
As of Sunday, there have been 84 COVID-19 cases in Lynnfield and 11 residents have died, according to the town website.
“Despite some optimistic trends, it is so important for all citizens to know we continue to face COVID challenges every day in Lynnfield,” said Town Administrator Robert Dolan. “We work in partnership with essential businesses when these outbreaks occur to identify and assist in implementing plans to keep people safe. We ask all citizens to continue to partner with us and follow important protocols (like) masks, spacing, hand washing, to limit outbreaks and hopefully eliminate them.”
