Trader Joe's in Merrick temporarily closes for COVID-19-related cleaning

Company sites coronavirus as the cause for closure

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The Trader Joe's store in Merrick has temporarily closed to customers after an undisclosed number of employees tested positive for coronavirus, according to a company statement. 

The last time an employee who had tested positive was in the Merrick Trader Joe's (1714 Merrick Road) was March 27,  the statement said. Traffic barriers were set up at the entrance to the store's parking lot to prevent residents from coming on to the premises. 

On March 31, Trader Joe's announced that seven of its locations — including the Merrick store  — would be temporarily closed for "cleaning related to COVID-19." The  identified stores (see box) will be closed "for thorough cleaning and sanitization," but the announcement did not indicate when they would reopen. 

"While we are working hard to get each store open as soon as possible, we continue to have a good supply of product available in neighboring stores," the announcement read. "We have made sure all Crew Members at the respective locations have been informed and understand the steps to take to best safeguard the health of their communities." 

Trader Joe's will continue to pay its employees "for their scheduled shifts" while the stores are closed.