Walmart in Visalia will close for the weekend for cleaning and disinfection

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – One after another, people looking to shop at the Visalia Walmart Supercenter on Mooney Boulevard are being turned away.

The store is closed and Walmart officials say it will remain closed all weekend – while cleaning crews scramble to disinfect the entire building.

“The Super Walmart on Mooney makes a huge turnover and impacts people,” says Visalia Mayor Steve Nelson.

Officials did not confirm whether the shutdown was linked to a COVID outbreak, but had this to say in a statement: “Everything we do is for the well-being of our associates and clients, and given advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts. We will continue to work closely with elected officials and local health officials, adjusting the way we serve the community. “

Nelson says he’s still waiting to find out the cause of the shutdown.

“I read their press release,” he said. “They are talking about the pandemic, but it has never been confirmed that it is because of a COVID situation.”

Many shoppers were redirected to the Walmart store on Nobel Avenue.

At the end of Saturday afternoon, the parking lot was full.

“If you’re worried, there are different ways to shop,” Nelson said. “You can shop online, you can go to your local businesses, there are fewer people in the store.”

The Walmart Supercenter on Mooney is slated to reopen at 7 a.m. on Monday.