Walmart institutes new guidelines for workers including temperature checks

As the country continues to deal with the spread of COVID-19, Walmart has added health and safety guidelines for associates.

In addition to the CDC’s recommended guidance on behaviors like washing hands, social distancing and the cleaning of surfaces, today Walmart is sharing additional steps they are taking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temperature Checks

Walmart has decided to begin taking the temperatures of associates as they report to work in stores, clubs and facilities, as well as asking them some basic health screening questions. The company states that they are in the process of sending infrared thermometers to all locations, which could take up to three weeks.

Any associate with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher will be paid for reporting to work and asked to return home and seek medical treatment if necessary. The associate will not be able to return to work until they are fever-free for at least three days.

Many associates have already been taking their own temperatures at home, according to Walmart, and they are being asked to continue until thermometers arrive. Associates are also asked to look out for other symptoms of the virus (coughing, feeling achy, difficulty breathing) and never come to work when they don’t feel well.

Walmart’s COVID-19 emergency leave policy allows associates to stay home if they have any COVID-19 related symptoms, concerns, illness or are quarantined – knowing that their jobs will be protected.

Masks and Gloves

While the CDC and other health officials do not recommend masks or gloves for healthy people who don’t ordinarily use them for their jobs, Walmart is making them available — as supplies permit — for associates who want to wear them.

The masks will arrive in 1-2 weeks. Walmart states that they will be high-quality masks, but not N95 respirators.