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Kroger launches COVID-19 testing for frontline workers

Free tests come as company ramps up expansion of drive-thru testing sites

Russell Redman

May 4, 2020

2 Min Read
Kroger Health coronavirus testers
Kroger last week said it aims to roll out drive-thru testing to 50 site in more than 12 states by the end of May.Kroger Health

The Kroger Co. has begun offering frontline workers free coronavirus tests, based on symptoms and medical need.

Kroger said Monday that its Kroger Health health care arm will provide the COVID-19 testing through a combination of self-administered kits and the company’s public drive-thru test sites. Just over a week ago, Kroger announced it was piloting site-specific testing for Kroger associates in Michigan and Colorado.

“At Kroger, the safety and health of our associates and customers remains our top priority during this unprecedented time,” Tim Massa, senior vice president and chief people officer at Cincinnati-based Kroger, said in a statement. “Our associates have worked tirelessly to provide communities continued access to fresh, affordable food. We are dedicated to providing support and gratitude to our associates across the country.”

Last week, Kroger said it aims to roll out drive-thru testing to 50 locations in more than 12 states by the end of May. The Kroger Health website currently shows drive-thru testing available at 13 sites in six states: Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

Patients remain in their cars during the tests, which are completed in just a few minutes using self-administered nasal swab test kits. Test results are expected within about 48 hours. About 250 to 330 tests have been performed daily by Kroger Health.

Related:UPDATE: Kroger goes bigger with COVID-19 drive-thru testing

Kroger Health coronavirus drive-up testing

Kroger Health currently has drive-thru testing available at selected locations in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

According to Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, the move to test more associates expands the COVID-19 testing already under way in areas with high incidence of infection.

“We’re doing all we can to keep our team healthy and safe,” Lindholz stated. “The widespread availability of diagnostic testing will now allow our associates to feel more empowered and knowledgeable about their health, creating safer stores and facilities.”

Also on Monday, Kroger released the third installment of its “Blueprint for Businesses” guide, which provides a series of recommendations — based on Kroger’s coronavirus response — to companies across industries as they determine reopening plans. The latest installment, titled “People” (Section 3), focuses on the needs, well-being and health of employees in various workplace settings. The first two installments addressed retail operations and manufacturing.

Among its employee support efforts during the pandemic, Kroger has stepped up its investment in personal protective equipment (PPE), including supplying face masks to all associates; augmented benefits packages, which include health coverage and retirement benefits; offered financial assistance to associates facing personal hardship from COVID-19, including lack of access to child care; and instituted emergency leave guidelines to provide paid time off to workers directly affected by the virus or experiencing related symptoms.

Related:Kroger ‘Blueprint for Businesses’ offers cross-industry coronavirus action plan

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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