Kroger owns Owen’s super market on Center Street in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

INDIANAPOLIS – Shoppers at Kroger-owned properties may soon see associates wearing protective masks and gloves.

 A statement from the company, which owns Owen’s Supermarket in Warsaw, acknowledged that personal protective equipment is in short supply across the country and that America’s healthcare workers should have first priority for the items, but made a plea to “place for all grocery workers — after health care workers” for the distribution of protective masks and gloves.

 The company said it will begin installing plexiglass partitions at many cash registers to further promote physical distancing. Many stores in the Kroger Family of Companies will begin the installation process this week.

The partitions will be installed at every checkout lane, pharmacy counter and Starbucks register in Kroger stores. Kroger is also installing educational floor decals to promote physical distancing at checkout lanes and other counters.

Kroger continues to enhance its daily sanitation practices, including increased cleaning of commonly used areas such as cashier stations, self-checkouts, credit card terminals, food service counters and shelves.

These and other recently announced steps will help Kroger ensure the safety of associates and help communities flatten the curve while at the same time meeting the obligation to be there for customers.