CHICAGO (News Nation/KNWA/KFTA) — Walmart will close its namesake stores and Sam’s Clubs on Thanksgiving Day this year, saying that it wants to have its employees spend time with their families during the coronavirus.
The move marks the first major indication of how COVID will affect Black Friday store shopping, which for almost a decade kicked off with big crowds on the turkey feast and expanded into Friday.
However, safety concerns are making stores rethink their plans for the holiday plans.
Walmart also said Tuesday that it will be giving out another round of bonuses for workers on the front lines of the coronavirus. Full-time hourly employees and drivers will receive a bonus of $300, and part-time hourly and temporary associates will receive $150.
Assistant managers will also receive a bonus, and store and facility managers — including Health & Wellness and Supply Chain — will also receive one for “their efforts the first half of the year.
The bonuses will be included in August 20 paychecks for eligible associates who were employed as of July 31.
It’s the third special cash bonus offered by Walmart since the pandemic began, separate from other cash bonuses received by employees in April and June.