Hobby Lobby says it’s reopening to the public, claiming the country is beginning “to recover from the pandemic,” Business Insider reported.
In a letter sent to workers Thursday, and obtained by BI, executives of the craft store company wrote it’s "pleased to begin reopening stores as permitted by state and local authorities,” and will begin to bring a "portion of furloughed employees" back into work.
"As stores reopen, we do not expect business to return to pre-pandemic levels for some time," the letter said. "As a result, only a portion of furloughed employees will be recalled in the near term as business resumes. Employees with questions about recall from furlough should contact their manager."
The letter comes two days after local officials intervened to close at least one store reopened in North Carolina, BI reported. Five others remain open in the state. Nearly all locations are up and running in neighboring South Carolina, BI reported.
Georgia and Florida also reopened public establishments on Friday. But stores there appear to remain temporarily closed, BI reported.
The letter from Hobby Lobby said it’s "confident" it will be able to create a safe environment upon reopening — writing it would be "enforcing employees to wear facial covers," an act that employees were discouraged from doing before the closures, BI has reported.
For those that are not called back into stores, the furlough will be extended through May 30, according to the letter. During this time, Hobby Lobby will continue to cover benefits for full-time employees.
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