Walmart, Target, Costco Told to Stop In-Person Sales of Nonessential Items in Vermont

A Walmart stock photo. Illustration - Shutterstock

Walmart, Target, and Costco were ordered to halt all in-person sales of nonessential items in Vermont, according to a state government agency.

The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development said Tuesday that the three chains, as well as other “big box” stores, need to “cease in-person sales of non-essential items in order to reduce the number of people coming into the stores” amid the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus pandemic.

“Large ‘big box’ retailers generate significant shopping traffic by virtue of their size and the variety of goods offered in a single location,” said agency Secretary Lindsay Kurrle in a statement. “This volume of shopping traffic significantly increases the risk of further spread of this dangerous virus to Vermonters and the viability of Vermont’s health care system.”

Kurrle said the move will allow the state to put “public health first” and reduce the number of people in stores. “Online ordering, delivery, and curbside pickup whenever possible” is allowed, she said.

Groceries, medicine, animal feed, and other essential supplies can be sold at the stores, the bulletin said.

Nonessential items are deemed as arts and crafts, beauty supplies, carpet and flooring, clothing, consumer electronics, books, music, movies, furniture, home and garden items, jewelry, paint, photo services, toys, and sports equipment, according to KAKE.

The stores now have to “restrict access to non-essential goods,” and “stores must close aisles, close portions of the store, or remove items from the floor,” according to the agency. “Except in the event of emergencies threatening the health and welfare of a customer, showrooms and garden sections of large home improvement centers should be closed,” it says.