LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Beginning April 10, the Luke Air Force Base Commissary and Base Exchange requires store employees and customers to wear a face covering to enter, work or shop in the stores.
“We will continue to follow the highest standards of DoD health protection in our stores,” said Col. Ryan Richardson, 56th Mission Support Group commander. “Our objective is always to deliver the necessary goods our customers need in stores that are safe and clean for them and our employees.”
In addition to requiring face coverings for employees and customers, stores have implemented the following operational policies to help make stores safer during this pandemic:
- Stores are installing clear, acrylic sneeze shields in checkout lanes to add extra protection for customers and cashiers.
- Personnel are regularly wiping down checkout areas, product display cases, restrooms and shopping carts with disinfectant, and practicing routine hand washing and other basic sanitation measures to reduce transmission risk.
- Stores are implementing procedures regarding social distancing, including placing tape marking six feet of distance at cash registers.
- Patrons cannot bring reusable bags into the commissary to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
- Cashiers no longer handle patron ID cards. Instead, customers are asked to scan their ID or cashiers can use the handheld scanner, if available.
- Stores encourages the use of credit or debit transactions to limit the use of cash and coins
- Stores are working closely with the public health assets on the installation to monitor transmission risk related to staff and patrons.
- Stores have temporarily suspended the requirement to sign credit card receipts to prevent multi patron handling of the credit card reader pen.
“Our leadership team is continually listening to your feedback and are working to make this situation as manageable as possible while still executing our mission,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury, 56th Fighter Wing commander. “With your cooperation, we can prevent the spread of the coronavirus in our local community and protect those most in danger.”