7-Eleven has announced it will begin installing plexiglass sneeze guards at the front sales counters in all of its U.S. stores to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Irving, Texas-based company is joining several other businesses taking this measure during the COVID-19 outbreak to try to better protect the health of employees and customers.
"We are doing everything we can to keep stores open and stocked with the products local communities need, while also keeping customers safe," 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto said in a statement. "These new sneeze guards provide additional protection for customers, store associates and Franchisees."
Installation of the barriers will begin at stores located in areas hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. The company says the installations will be complete in all of its U.S. stores in the next two weeks.
7-Eleven also announced last week that it expects to hire as many as 20,000 workers to meet the rising demand from customers during the pandemic. The company is hiring these new workers for its storefront and 7NOW mobile ordering service, which is offering free delivery on all orders through April 30.
There are over 9,000 7-Eleven stores in the U.S.
