Lacey Walmart To Reduce Hours Amid NJ Coronavirus Spread

LACEY, NJ — Walmart stores, including the Lacey location, will temporarily reduce their hours to better stock their shelves. The Lanoka Harbor store will operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Walmart stores began instituting the change Sunday. The decision will help Walmart stock its shelves and better sanitize their stores, according to Exceutive Vice President Dacona Smith.

"As we make this change, associates will continue to work the hours and shifts they are scheduled, and our supply chain and trucking fleet will continue to move products and deliver to stores on their regular schedules," Smith said in a statement.

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Three people in Ocean County have tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus as of Monday morning. Governor Phil Murphy announced 31 new cases in the state Sunday, bringing New Jersey's total up to 98. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Update: Gov. Murphy Considers Curfew, 31 New Cases

There are no confirmed cases in Lacey at this time.

Walmart has waived its employee attendance policy through the end of April so employees feeling sick or uncomfortable can stay home. Employees will receive up to two weeks of pay during that time.

Workers with a confirmed case of the virus will receive between two and 26 weeks of sick leave — depending on how much time they need to miss.

Walmart locations that already operate under reduced hours — for instance, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. — will continue to do so.

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