Rules for shopping at the IGA

By
Eddie Brennan
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Julia Brennan photo | Volunteer Julia Weisenberg manages the line outside the Shelter Island IGA Wednesday morning. The Town has instituted new shopping rules, like only 15 shoppers at a time inside, to help protect shoppers and the staff at the community's only grocery store.

The Town has instituted new rules for shopping at the IGA, Shelter Island’s only major food market. And volunteers turned up Wednesday to begin enforcing them.

First, the Town notes that Islanders owe a debt of gratitude to the Peronace family for keeping this vital resource open, and to the all the staff for braving exposure to the novel coronavirus during this health emergency.

Julia Brennan photo | Catherine Rasmussen stands behind new plexiglass shield that the Shelter Island IGA has installed at each checkout counter.

[UPDATE: The IGA installed plexiglass at the checkout counters to help reduce potential spread of the novel coronavirus and keep workers safe — Thanks!]

The Town has provided a hand sanitizing station inside the IGA and is requiring all shoppers to use hand sanitizer before entering the store.

The Town has instituted these rules:

  • While the store is open daily 7AM to 7PM, the hours of 7 to 9AM are reserved for senior citizens
  • No more than 15 shoppers may be inside the store at any time; please wait in line at appropriate distances marked by cones in the parking lot
  • Only one person per household should shop (with reasonable exceptions)
  • Everyone must use hand sanitizer before entering the store (provided by the Town)
  • Shoppers must maintain social distancing, staying at least 6 feet from one another and staff – the floor in the checkout area is marked with Xs to support this
  • Adhere to posted limits on high-demand items

These rules will be enforced by a cadre of volunteers (they’ll be wearing hi-visibility vests and gloves provided by the Town). These volunteers will also wipe down shopping carts, and notify arriving shoppers of when they may enter.

X-marks the social distancing spot at the IGA, where checkout lanes are marked with tape to indicate appropriate distancing for shoppers waiting in line.

In inclement weather, the volunteers will take cellphone numbers so that shoppers can wait in their cars — they’ll call or text. If you don’t have a phone, they’ll wave you in when it’s your turn.

“Please purchase only quantities that are needed to allow for all of us to have adequate supplies,” the Town said in a notice outlining the rules. “Deliveries are continuing and no shortages are anticipated.”

Tips for grocery shopping safely

Here are some tips for grocery shopping safely:

  • Sanitize your reusable bags before you head out to shop – or use bags provided by the store (the state’s plastic bag ban is on hold, unrelated to the virus outbreak)
  • Wash your hands before you head out to shop, and then use the hand sanitizer provided at the store entrance
  • Touch only those items that you intend to purchase (be sure to bring your eyeglasses if you need them for reading so as to reduce the need to pick up items to read prices)
  • Use a credit/debit card if possible at checkout, and don’t take a receipt
  • Thoroughly wash your groceries when you get them home

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