Verchio’s Produce & Deli Announces Several Employees Have Contracted COVID-19

SJO Readers:

My apologies for any confusion in my article about Verchio’s and for not initially clarifying that my article pertained to the Brooklawn location. I just spoke with Tony Verchio and here is an additional further update/clarification from him.

Anne Forline, Editor/Publisher South Jersey Observer

An update and clarification from Tony Verchio:

I want to thank all of those who reached to wish our team at Brooklawn wellness during the scare they had encountered.

I want also want to inform everyone that the Washington Township location has had NO employees test positive for COVID 19 nor has had any working employees show or report any symptoms since this whole pandemic started. We do not share employees with our other location so our staff has not been in contact with the team at the other store.

We work very hard to ensure our location is safe by sanitizing often and regularly. We have also acted early in installing plexiglass counter barriers to protect occupants at checkout. Furthermore, we require masks for all individuals to enter inside our location.

We offer curbside services Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 1 pm to accommodate those who would prefer to shop over the phone.

We also open at 6:30 am Tuesdays and Wednesdays to allow high risk individuals a tailored environment to shop in.

We will continue being here for those in need as we are dedicated to serving our customers.

We want to thank you all for your support.

God Bless you all.

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“Several” employees of Verchio’s Produce and Deli have contracted the coronavirus, according to an April 28, 2020 post the store shared on Facebook.

“As you know from the beginning of this historic pandemic, we have taken and continue to take as many precautions and enacted as many policies as humanly possible to maintain the safety of our workers and customers. In spite of those measures we have, at this time, had several of our employees contract the virus. So we have had to shorten our staff while those sick recover. We are getting as many employees tested as possible with or without symptoms,” the post stated.

In order to combat the virus, the store has implemented many precautions and safety measures. “All areas both for customers and workers have been sanitized, beyond our usually daily sanitizing, several times. And will continue to be a priority. As always the doors are kept open to keep the air as fresh and circulated as possible. We were the first to install barriers between customers and workers for this very purpose.”

Business hours have been shortened from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Face masks are required to shop in the store. To reduce crowding and increase safety, shopping parties have been reduced to one person. Floor arrows help to keep the flow of traffic in one direction.

Special shopping hours for senior citizens and high risk customers have been set aside on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Verchio’s remains open and strives to stay open to help families through this difficult time, the post stated. “Please look out for each other and God bless you.”

Update:

Verchio’s – Washington Township has issued a clarification:

“As of today, our location in Washington Township has not had an employee test positive for the Covid-19 virus. We will continue to monitor day to day operations with the number one priority being the health and safety of customers and employees. In these trying times we implore all our customers please wear appropriate face protection and be mindful of fellow patrons when shopping our store.”

Post updated on April 29, 2020 at 12:20 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:10 p.m.