CARY, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper said he's going to sign a new executive order later this week that will put more social distancing requirements on retailers during the coronavirus outbreak.
Cooper, in Tuesday's press conference, praised stores like Trader Joe's that limit the amount of customers in the store at one time, requiring space between them. Shoppers we spoke with at the store and on social media say that’s not the case for every retail store.
Trader Joe’s allows people to buy essentials while preventing the spread of coronavirus. Employees use tape to keep shoppers six feet apart while waiting to enter the store and at checkout.
"It's well done, I think, by the grocery stores," said Cary resident John Welch.
Aldi and other businesses have installed glass partitions at registers to protect customers and cashiers. These voluntary measures by some stores could soon become mandatory. Cooper said he plans to sign an executive order requiring retail businesses to tighten their grip on social distancing.
"I'd be curious to hear what those restrictions are before they go into effect, hopefully," said Cary resident Donald Santacaterina. "Because I feel like we're doing just about as much as we can to allow people to purchase groceries, period."
Cooper said Tuesday some stores still have too many people in them. Viewers on the WRAL Facebook page had differing opinions about the new statewide order addressing social distancing for retailers and what would make them feel safer. David Matthews wrote "No mask, no entry into the store."
Jon Welch says is it doesn’t hurt to be too safe these days.
"Whatever our governor decides needs to be done to keep us all healthy, for the good of larger communities is absolutely something we'll support and do," Welch said.
If this order goes into place, Cooper hinted at one-way aisles, more plexiglass installations at checkout ad even limiting the amount of people inside based on maximum occupancy.
