Maryland County Suggests Restricting Customers To Shopping on Pre-Set Days Based On Last Names

Brittany M. Hughes | April 16, 2020
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Update: A previous version of this story reflected local reports stating the Calvert County Health Department had suggested implementing set grocery shopping days for customers based on their last name. In response to these reports, the CCHD has clarified that this suggestion was predicated on "voluntary" compliance with any such schedule. This story has been updated to reflect that claim.

 

As states and localities across America enact stricter regulations on public travel, social distancing and “essential” shopping, one county in Maryland is suggesting even narrower rules for grocery store runs, saying customers should "voluntarily" shop only on certain days as determined by their last name.

To reduce “chronic overcrowding” at grocery stores, the Calvert County Health Department is now recommending that customers be divided into categories based on the first letter of their last names, then given certain days on which they’re allowed to shop. For example, people whose last names begin with A through C would be allowed to shop on days of the month ending in 0 and 5. The next category, with last names ending in D through G, would be allowed to shop on days ending in 1 and 6, and so on.

The health department said the measure would reduce the overcrowding in grocery stores that’s occurring because “Going to the grocery store has shifted from an occasional trip to get necessities to a frequent excuse for getting out of the house,” as residents have been restricted from traveling anywhere that’s not deemed “essential” by the state. Some stores like Lowe’s and Walmart have already begun regulating how many customers are allowed in their stores at any given time, resulting in long lines of customers waiting outside for access.

As of Wednesday, Maryland residents have already been ordered by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan to wear face masks or coverings while shopping, under penalty of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine. So far, there have been 10,784 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maryland, including 103 in Calvert County.

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