VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will reopen two stores this week that had been closed due to COVID-19 for store sanitation and employee quarantine.
Store 278 located at 3333 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach will reopen at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, following closure March 26 after confirmation that a sales associate had tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee who tested positive for COVID-19 last worked in the store March 14 and had not returned to work upon feeling ill. Virginia ABC Human Resources has been in contact with the other employees from this store and, after more than 14 days since the employee last worked at the store, none are reporting symptoms of the virus.
Store 182 located at 1217 West Broad Street in downtown Richmond will reopen at noon Friday, April 3, following closure March 19 after the roommate of an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The employee has remained at home in quarantine. Virginia ABC Human Resources has been in contact with the other employees from this store and, after more than 14 days since the employee last worked at the store, none are reporting symptoms of the virus.
“We made the decision to immediately close both of these stores to ensure the safety of our employees and customers. Since then, out of an abundance of caution, we contracted with a professional cleaning company to thoroughly deep clean and disinfect these stores including all frequently touched surfaces,” said Chief Executive Officer Travis Hill. “We have received additional guidance from VDH that indicates the 14-day quarantine window for employees’ possible exposure to the virus has been satisfied this week. Our employees continue to be advised to monitor their health, report illness to their supervisor and self-quarantine if instructed to do so by health care officials.”
As of March 27, due to the expanding nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, all ABC stores across the commonwealth are open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. The reduced operating hours allows staffing flexibility as well as more time for employees to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and stock shelves.
All stores are limiting the number of customers in the store at one time to no more than 10. Stores have also installed social distancing markers to ensure customers stand at least 6 feet apart from one another.
