By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

essential measures for an essential service

Central Alberta Co-op announces in-store COVID-19 measures

Mar 30, 2020 | 1:49 PM

Central Alberta Co-op says it is striving to be diligent about doing their part to prevent unnecessary impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company acknowledges that its food stores and pharmacies are critically important, and therefore they must do everything possible to stay open and accessible while protecting against the spread.

“Our response to this pandemic not only considers the health and well-being of our Co-op members and customers, but also our Team Members,” said Marno Hultin, Board President.

Central Alberta Co-op says a number of measures have been put in place in its stores, in alignment with recommendations from the World Health Organization, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Alberta Health Services. They include:

– All locations cleaned and sanitized daily as part of normal business, but all locations are increasing the frequency of cleaning, especially on high-touch surfaces.

Prevention, Access, Recovery, and Coordination

Safe Harbour officially hands over shelter keys, establishes accessible navigation hub

9h ago

lacombe and sylvan lake

December 2025 (un)employment data released for Alberta sub-regions

10h ago

21 years with WCPS

Darcy Blum appointed principal of Lacombe Outreach School

11h ago

– Working with team members to ensure that they have current information on prevention so they can stay healthy or stay home if they are feeling ill.

– Implemented an early morning shop for seniors, those with auto-immune diseases, those that are high risk as well as those with mobility limitations. This hour of shopping is available at Innisfail, Lacombe, Red Deer’s Deer Park & Timberlands; Monday, Wednesday & Friday 7 a.m. to – 8 a.m.

– Temporarily discontinued all food sampling programs in food, c-store and liquor locations.

– All self-serve items from food, c-store & liquor locations have been temporarily discontinued.

– Due to the high demand for some products, Co-op has placed limits on the quantities available to purchase.

– Ensuring prices on essential items remain stable.

– Signage and visual cues to remind guests of proper social distancing.

– Plexi Glass barriers will be installed at food, c-store/gas bar and liquor locations. Gloves and hand sanitizer are provided to all team members.

– Pharmacies are ensuring continued drug supply by filling a maximum one-month supply of all medications.

– Food, pharmacy, gas bar and liquor locations have temporarily adjusted their hours of operation. Farm & Home locations in Eckville, Innisfail, Red Deer and Spruce View remain open with their regular hours of operation. You can find these hours at www.centralalbertaco-op.crs and www.centralalbertaliquor.crs

– Administration office and agro service locations are closed to the public. All team members can be reached by phone or by email.

Central Alberta Co-op is reminding customers to practice social distancing at all locations, and heed all other advice surround travel and self-isolation.

They also ask customers do NOT shop in groups, and to please keep reusable bags at home. The charge for plastic bags has temporarily been waived. Customers are also strongly encouraged to use credit or debit rather than cash.

“Our organization wouldn’t be what it is without the team members we have on the front-line replenishing shelves, helping customers and providing that friendly face our customers have come to know,” Hultin added. “On behalf of the Board and management, I cannot express my gratitude to them enough. Thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your positivity and your service through the thick of it all.”