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The Walmart store located at 1991 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Expressway in Andalusia will close today at 2 p.m. as part of a company-initiated program to allow third-party cleaning crews time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the building.

The location will remain closed through tomorrow, Friday, July 30, providing our associates time to restock shelves and prep the store to reopen on Saturday, July 31 at 6 a.m. Walmart’s place within the community is considered essential, and we understand the role we play in providing customers with food, medicine, and other needed items during this time.

Walmart’s official statement reads as follows:

As an essential business and a member of the Andalusia, AL community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine, and other essential items, especially at this time.

As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases, mainly in regions with low vaccination rates, and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic. As part of this effort, we have chosen to temporarily close our Andalusia store location at 1991 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Expressway, today at 2 p.m. as part of a company-initiated program. This will allow extra time for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store and will also give our associates additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store to once again serve the community. We plan to reopen the store to customers at 6 a.m. on July 31.

Everything we’re doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts. When the store reopens Saturday, we will continue conducting associate health assessments.

In addition to offering COVID-19 vaccines to customers through walk-in or online appointments, we’re also offering easy access to vaccines for associates. Associates can receive their vaccinations at their home store pharmacy, on or off the clock.

Should associates choose to schedule their vaccinations elsewhere, we will provide two hours of paid leave. Associates who receive the vaccine are given a $75 bonus for doing so.

These protocols and convenient access to vaccinations are in addition to the extensive measures we’ve put in place during the pandemic to help protect our associates and customers. We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind.

For more information, contact the Andalusia Walmart at 334-222-6561.