Bedford Superstore Closed After Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
HALIFAX – The Atlantic Superstore in Bedford has closed today after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
Mark Boudreau, the director of corporate affairs for Loblaw Atlantic, confirmed in an e-mail to Huddle today that an employee has tested positive for the coronavirus and that the store has been closed “for a thorough cleaning.”
He said the store is expected to reopen again tomorrow.
“We have been in touch with the local public health team and have taken a number of steps to minimize risk, including increased sanitization protocols and enforcing social distancing practices in the store,” said Boudreau.
Boudreau also said anyone who worked closely with the infected person is now at home in self-isolation, monitoring for symptoms.
“We want to assure our customers and employees that we take their safety very seriously,” Boudreau said.
During a Friday news conference, chief medical examiner, Dr. Robert Strang, said the risk of shoppers having been exposed to COVID-19 is low.
“I’m aware of this case…local public health has been working with the Superstore. We do know that the individual at this store was not working on the frontline, not interacting with the public,” said Strang.
Strang said the province has worked with the store to ensure it will be a safe environment when the store is reopened.
“We have given support to Superstore around appropriate cleaning of their store,” said Strang.
“There really isn’t a significant risk for any of the public who may be in and out of that store”
With files from Derek Montague at Huddle.