7-Eleven installing sneeze guards

7-Eleven is among the growing ranks of retailers opting to install sneeze guards at its checkout lanes and/or front counters.

The c-store giant said it has ordered and will begin installing plexiglass sneeze guards at the front sales counter in its 9,000-plus U.S. 7-Eleven stores to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Installations, which will begin at stores in areas hardest hit by the pandemic and expand to include all U.S. stores, will be complete in all stores in the next two weeks. 

Each store will receive two of the transparent plastic barriers. All sneeze guards were made in North America. For easiest customer access, credit card PIN units will be located on the customer-facing side of the plexiglass sneeze guards.

"We are doing everything we can to keep stores open and stocked with the products local communities need, while also keeping customers safe,” said 7-Eleven president and CEO Joe DePinto. “These new sneeze guards provide additional protection for customers, store associates and franchisees.”

The company has also enhanced its standards and procedures for hygiene, handwashing, sanitation, food handling and preparation in stores and increased the frequency of cleaning high-touch surfaces. 

For consumers who do not want to leave their homes, 7-Eleven is offering free delivery on all online orders through April 30. A new "contactless" delivery option lets customers choose to have their delivery left at the door by the driver.