Pick n Pay Flora Centre was the scene of a stand-off between staff and management over coronavirus testing on 2 June.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department closed the store after deeming store management to be in breach of Covid-19 protocols. Pick n Pay Head Office has since commented on the matter, with the full statement reading as follows:
“The health and safety of our customers and staff are a top priority, and all our stores have strict protocols to follow. Our Flora Centre store was temporarily closed on Sunday after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. The store implemented its strict protocol, which includes tracing the staff members close contacts and immediately sending them home to self-quarantine for the required period. As a precaution, the remainder of the store staff who were not in close contact with the staff member were screened by health practitioners.
A specialist cleaning team deep-cleaned and sanitized the entire store, and we liaised closely with the health authorities before reopening the store on Tuesday morning. Before the store reopened, the close contact list was updated and should have been recirculated with authorities. As this step wasn’t followed, the store was temporarily closed yesterday afternoon.
We have addressed this with management and are liasing with health authorities to reopen the store. All close contacts are in self-quarantine, and, as a precaution, we deep-cleaned and sanitized the store again last night. All staff members are also being screened again by health practitioners today.
We hope to reopen the store soon.”The store remained closed on 3 June and every attempt is being made in order for authorities to give the green light for reopening it.
