Shop the Co-op Safely

Please remember to wear a face covering and to practice social distancing. We all need to do our part to continue to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community. In compliance with the City of Minneapolis’ Emergency Regulation 2020-13, Minnesota State Executive Order 20-81 and following guidance from the CDC, Seward Community Co-op requires all staff and customers to wear a cloth face covering inside co-op facilities. If you need a mask, please request one from our staff. To aid social distancing our store dining areas remain closed. For the safety of everyone, we ask that masks are kept on while in the store and that shoppers wait to consume food and drinks until outside the stores. Thank you for continuing to help us keep community members and staff healthy by shopping safely. If you are feeling ill with COVID-19 symptoms, community testing organized in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health is available at local testing sites.

If you are unable to wear a face covering, please use our Curbside Pickup option.

Shop Curbside Pickup

Below is some additional clarification regarding the State of Minnesota mandate to wear face coverings.

Types of face coverings that are allowed:

Paper or disposable mask, a cloth mask, a neck gaiter, a scarf, a bandanna, or a religious face covering. A face covering must cover the nose and mouth completely. The covering should not be overly tight or restrictive and should feel comfortable to wear.

Types of face coverings that are not allowed:

Any mask with a valve that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling, mesh masks, or masks with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material, or vents. These may allow droplets to be released from the mask.

The State of Minnesota requires that all people in public spaces wear a face mask unless they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so. Seward Co-op’s policy is that all people entering our buildings wear a face covering. Community members with medical exemption have the option to place a Curbside Pickup order as an accommodation.

Tips to Practice Social Distancing while Shopping

Grocery stores provide a critical function in our community during a time of crisis, and we are committed to remaining open. This means that we all need to do our part to provide a safe workplace and shopping experience for co-op employees and customers. Our priority is the well-being of employees and community members. Please help minimize behavior that may increase the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing in our stores and other public spaces. If you are sick or have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (sore throat, fever, cough, shortness of breath), please do not visit our stores. Please shop alone, rather than with a partner or family.

It is recommended that people stay at least 6 feet apart in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We all need to learn this new skill together. Try to proactively communicate with people who are in the space you want to be in, rather than just going near them. For example, if an employee is stocking groceries near a product you are seeking, please alert the staff of your needs and allow time for the employee to move away.  When in line, try not to crowd, instead allow ample space between yourself and the next person in line.

Social distancing is not just for you, it’s also out of consideration for fellow community members. While in our store, please be extremely aware of other customers and co-op employees, and maintain approximately six feet of space between individuals.

We have installed social distancing aids—as pictured below—on our floors throughout the store including our checkout lanes. These aids are a reminder to maintain 6 feet—about two shopping carts—apart from staff, shoppers and fellow community members

Here is what we are doing to support social distancing at our checkout lanes:

• There is a single point of entry to the checkout line to ensure there is an equitable flow.
• Shoppers waiting to checkout are physically separated from shopping areas using barriers outlining where the line starts and flows through to the checkout lanes.
• Floor stickers provide visual reminders to customers to maintain social distance while in line.
• Cashiers use flags to indicate to customers when available for the next customer in line.

Our employees–especially the cashiers and other workers on the sales floor–are working hard to support the community during this time of crisis and uncertainty. Working in a public space during a pandemic is very stressful for our staff. Please minimize behavior that may increase the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing in our stores, and in other public spaces. Again, we are so grateful for our staff and the kindness and compassion of our community.