WAWA, Pa. — Following an executive order issued by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Wawa Inc. is requiring that all store employees and customers wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The convenience-store chain is also designating times for customers in high-risk groups to shop.
Effective April 10, Wawa has added prominent signage in all of its 255 New Jersey stores notifying customers that the protective masks or coverings are required when out in public and while shopping at an essential business.
- Wawa, Pa.-based Wawa is No. 10 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
The stores are supplementing the in-store signage with reminders through Wawa’s in-store music and audio platform, thanking New Jersey residents for complying with the order.
Wawa has designated the hour of 2 to 3 p.m. each day to accommodate individuals who are in high-risk categories as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (The organization has issued new guidelines to ensure continuity of operations of essential businesses.) The company asks all others to respect this time set aside for these groups.
The chain is also following all required social distancing measures, cleaning protocols and limitations on in-store dining and self-service foodservice during the pandemic, the company said.
As previously announced, Wawa has installed clear plastic shields at its registers to protect employees and customers during checkout. The company has also added social distancing markers to encourage patrons to stand 6 feet away from each other.
“In addition to our enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols and previously implemented in-store precautions, we are adding some extra measures to ensure we are supporting the most up-to-date recommendations, with a specific focus on social distancing,” the company said.
Wawa, based in Wawa, Pa., has more than 870 c-stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.
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