Walmart in Brookhaven will close temporarily today at 2 p.m. as part of a company-wide deep cleaning effort.

Third-party cleaning crews will thoroughly clean and sanitize the building. Walmart will remain closed Saturday and reopen at 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22.

“As an essential business and member of the Brookhaven, Mississippi, community, we understand the role we play in providing customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time,” said company spokesperson Tyler Thomason.

“As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases, and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic,” Thomason said. “In support of this effort, we have chosen to temporarily close our Brookhaven store location.”

“Everything we’re doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and health experts,” he said. “Given the rise in positive cases through the Delta variant, we will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.”

Thomason said Walmart will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how the company serves the community while keeping the health and safety of customers and employees in mind.