While grocery stores are considered essential businesses that will remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, Giant Eagle stores are taking precautions to protect customers and employees from getting sick.

To be mindful of social distancing, stores will implement new protocols in their stores.

Plexiglass dividers will be installed near checkout and customer service areas within Giant Eagle, Market District, Pharmacy, and GetGo locations.

Pieces of plexiglass will be affixed to each register, and placed at its pharmacy and customer service counters, serving as a divider between guests and the Team Members processing their transactions.

Floor indicators and signage at checkout lanes that will visually indicate the appropriate social distance between guest.

Shoppers will also be asked to refrain from bringing reusable bags in stores.

All purchases across all Giant Eagle locations will be bagged in either single-use plastic bags or paper bags, both of which will be available at no charge. Giant Eagle is also temporarily pausing its fuelperks+ "one perk per reusable bag used" promotion to discourage reusable bag use.

The majority of Giant Eagle and GetGo stores are expected to have the modifications completed by the end of the week.