Servicing customers throughout the coronavirus pandemic, grocery store employees’ responsibilities come with high-exposure potentials. Workers are testing positive for COVID-19, while coworkers who’ve been in close contact have been told to quarantine — as was the recent case for Publix Super Market in Key Largo.
A Publix spokeswoman confirmed to the Weekly on June 25 that a store associate at the Key Largo store, located at Tradewinds Plaza, tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is now in quarantine and receiving 14 days of paid leave.
Publix says employees who were in close contact with the infected employee were notified and told to quarantine. They’re also receiving paid leave for up to 14 days.
The Key Largo store isn’t the only one in the Keys with employees testing positive for COVID-19. On April 19, an Islamorada Publix store associate tested positive for COVID-19. On April 2, a Marathon Publix store associate was found to be positive.
“Like other essential service providers, we have seen our own associates and their families personally impacted by COVID-19,” said Nicole Krauss, Publix media relations manager. “Unfortunately, as public health officials have indicated, we expect to see an increase in cases as the virus spreads in our communities.”
Krauss said the store continues to focus on intensive, ongoing protective measures that include a disinfection program, in-store signage and visual reminders for appropriate social distancing of 6 feet.
“We are proud of how our dedicated associates are taking care of our customers and each other through this unprecedented and challenging time,” Krauss said. “And, we thank our customers for continuing to trust us with providing them with the goods and services they need.”
