Going to Target, Walmart or a Fresno Park? You Need to Know These Changes.

A new reality is coming to stores and parks this weekend.
Fresno County parks will not be open. Target and Walmart are placing more physical limits on you than ever before.
COVID-19 continues to intrude on almost every facet of life.

Fresno County Parks Closing. City Closes Dog Parks.

Officials said Friday that all Fresno County parks are being shuttered “to protect the health of the entire community and to promote social distancing.”
The closures are immediate and will remain in effect until further notice, county spokesman Jordan Scott said.
City parks remain open and residents can still visit for physical activity such as walking, jogging, and cycling as long as they practice social distancing.
However, the city is closing all dog parks.
In addition, the city is closing basketball and tennis courts where possible.

Related Story: Mayor Orders Fresno Parks Closed Easter Weekend

Walmart’s New Shopping Limitations

Starting Saturday, Walmart will limit the number of customers who can be in a store at once. Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20% percent of a store’s capacity.
Walmart Executive VP/CEO Dacona Smith issued a statement Friday outlining how the process will work.

Related Story: Business Fallout: Companies Hoard Cash, Walmart Hiring 150k

“To manage this restriction, the associates at a store will mark a queue at a single-entry door (in most cases the Grocery entrance) and direct arriving customers there, where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted. Associates and signage will remind customers of the importance of social distancing while they’re waiting to enter a store – especially before it opens in the morning. Once a store reaches its capacity, customers will be admitted inside on a “1-out-1-in” basis,” writes Smith. “We’ll also institute one-way movement through our aisles next week in a number of our stores, using floor markers and direction from associates. We expect this to help more customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop.”

Target Begins Monitoring and Metering in Stores

Beginning Saturday, Target will actively monitor and, when needed, limit the total number of people inside based on the store’s specific square footage.

Related Story: NW Fresno Target Marks the Floor to Help Keep 'Social Distance'

“The measures we’re announcing today are aimed at ensuring we are creating a safe environment for the guests who continue to turn to Target, while also providing our team with additional resources as they fulfill an essential service in communities across the country,” said John Mulligan, Target’s chief operating officer.

Target is introducing additional social distancing and safety measures to help our guests and team members stay healthy, including masks & gloves for our teams, monitoring store traffic and more. Get the details here: https://t.co/wXwlqgfahN pic.twitter.com/9m5B4xVo6k

— Target News (@TargetNews) April 2, 2020