Walmart in Visalia to close for the weekend for cleaning and sanitizing

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 stay that way all weekend long -- as cleaning crews work to sanitize the entire building.

"The Super Walmart on Mooney does a tremendous amount of business and it does impact people," says Visalia Mayor Steve Nelson.

Officials would not confirm if the closure was related to a COVID outbreak but had this to say in a statement - "Everything we're doing is for the well-being of our associates and customers, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts. We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community."

Nelson says he's still waiting to find out the cause of the closure.

"I have read their press release," he said. "They talk about the pandemic, but it has never been solidified that it is because of a COVID situation."

Many shoppers were rerouted to the Walmart location on Nobel Avenue.

By late Saturday afternoon, the parking lot was filled.

"If you are concerned, there are different ways to shop," Nelson said. "You can do online shopping, you can go to your locally owned businesses, there are less people packed inside the store."

The Walmart Supercenter on Mooney is expected to reopen on Monday at 7 am.