Amazon expands ‘social distancing’ to six feet at warehouses, after complaints from employees

Federal and state officials have been urging residents to maintain six feet of separation as “social distancing” guidelines become a daily part of life during the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet until a few days ago, Amazon warehouse employees in Sacramento and elsewhere — representing tens of thousands of workers nationwide — were told that a three-foot separation was sufficient.

The online retailing giant, whose business has exploded as Americans retreat indoors, had been following guidelines issued by the World Health Organization — guidelines that the U.S. government says are inadequate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say people should keep six feet away from each other.

An Amazon spokesperson said Monday the company is now utilizing the CDC’s more stringent guidelines at its facilities. The company said in a prepared statement that it has “adjusted practices to ensure social distancing” and is staggering shifts and canceling staff meetings to encourage more spacing between employees.

A public health expert at UC Berkeley said the WHO’s advisory on maintaining three feet of separation is woefully outdated.

“I don’t know why they haven’t changed it,” said Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor emeritus of infectious diseases. He said the CDC moved to a six-foot standard several years ago. “We used to think three feet was safe but the studies ... show it needs to be further.”

Last week, an Amazon warehouse worker complained in an email to The Sacramento Bee that the three-foot separation was inadequate. The employee, who insisted on anonymity, said employees felt unsafe at work but felt pressured to come into work.

Amazon said workers who choose to stay home can use “their usual paid and unpaid time-off benefits.”

Amazon’s move follows the disclosure that an Amazon warehouse worker in New York City tested positive for COVID-19, followed by five workers at warehouses in Europe.

The company, which employs about 10,000 Californians at its fulfillment centers around the state, has come under increasing pressure to keep workers safe. Four Democratic U.S. senators sent Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos a letter last week demanding more protections for the employees.

The situation at Amazon underscores the difficulties of maintaining social distancing, at workplaces as well as other businesses that have been deemed “essential” under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “stay at home” order.

At a Home Depot in West Sacramento, bright yellow X’s have been taped to the floor to encourage customers to stand six feet apart while waiting in line at cash registers. But customers weren’t always keeping their distance, either from each other or store employees.

“The best we can do is ask,” said Home Depot spokeswoman Margaret Smith.