KEY POINTS

  • A man in a hazmat suit was taken into custody after he sprayed unknown liquid on people and products at a Walmart store in Las Vegas
  • Authorities are still working to identify the clear liquid
  • Walmart said it will cut down on operating hours as the U.S. battles the novel coronavirus

Las Vegas authorities have taken a yet-to-be identified man into custody after he entered a Las Vegas Walmart on Sunday and started spraying unknown liquid on some products. He was reportedly wearing a hazmat suit.

According to ABC affiliate KTNV, the Walmart store near S. Rainbow Boulevard and 215 Beltway was evacuated after the liquid-spraying incident. Local police said at least 13 people came in contact with the unknown liquid.

Authorities are still working to identify the clear liquid and it has yet to be revealed whether the man will face charges for what he did at the Walmart store.

So far, the people who came in contact with the liquid have not shown any signs of illness and were not hospitalized. The said Walmart store was also crowded when the police responded at around 8:15 p.m.

A witness, Zandra Calma, told CBS affiliate KLAS-TV that the man sprayed on conveyor belts, some “unnecessary things,” on people’s spaces, and fresh food displayed at the Walmart store.

The news came after the American retail giant announced over the weekend that it will cut down on store hours as part of the country’s efforts in containing the disease. The cut in operating hours is also aimed at providing staff with more time to restock shelves running out of items.

Walmart has 4,700 stores across the United States and the new measures will affect at least 2,200 stores.

Walmart supercenters will open 6:00 a.m. and will close at 11:00 p.m., “until further notice,” the company said in a statement on Saturday. For stores that already enforced earlier cuts in operating hours, the said hours will be retained, the retail chain said.

The supermarket giant is also working with the U.S. federal government in establishing drive-through COVID-19 testing sites in several of its stores’ parking lot areas.

An internal memo reviewed by Business Insider revealed that there will be “a limited number of stores” where the testing sites will be set up. Furthermore, the testing facilities will be established “at the far edge” of each chosen parking lot.

The company has yet to release the official list of Walmart stores where the coronavirus testing sites will be place. Further instructions will also be provided for staff to ensure that their health and that of shoppers is protected.

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