As the coronavirus outbreak continues to ravage the planet’s population, people have been looking to video games more and more as a source of relief and escapism. However, this recently came at the expense of some GameStop employees and customers, as reports from these affiliated parties claimed that the company was not taking the proper precautions related to COVID-19. The popular store chain recently responded to this backlash and now it seems that due to new circumstances, more action is finally being taken. As a result, all GameStop stores have now been closed to public foot traffic to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Beginning today, 3/22, we’ll be offering a contactless delivery service called Delivery@Door at all US store locations where state/local laws allow. For more info on how we will continue to serve you, please see below & click here for our full statement: https://t.co/qP9jDQUmjs pic.twitter.com/WfmS5ghMzE

— GameStop (@GameStop) March 23, 2020

As per Kotaku, GameStop CEO George Sherman has released a statement regarding the coronavirus outbreak confirming that as of this past Sunday, March 22nd, all US GameStop stores are currently closed off to the public. The retailer will now instead offer physical purchases from select retail locations, but only through a contact-less “delivery at the door” service. From this method, customers place their orders from the GameStop website while their local store sends an employee outside to transfer the items at the door.

This has been made a policy in response to recent state mandates that have ordered non-essential businesses to close their indoor operations to the public. As CEO Sherman says:

We continue to closely monitor local, state and federal updates and guidelines and we are complying with all state, county and local ordinances. However, let me state clearly, in any location that continues to operate, we will not make you work if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Please coordinate with your supervisor if that is the case. We respect that everyone has personal situations and preferences, so your decision will not impact your position with the company.”

In addition, GameStop is also temporarily restricting trade-ins, returns, and exchanges, to prevent contaminated items from coming into contact with employees or other customers. While these choices may be inconvenient to some, it is the right call for GameStop stores to make to help do their part to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Let us just hope that COVID-19’s kill screen comes sooner rather than later.

What do you guys think about this decision to close all GameStop stores to public visitors? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stay tuned for the latest coronavirus news, such as Razer making surgical masks to help coronavirus relief efforts, here on Don’t Feed the Gamers! Follow us on Twitter to see our updates the minute they go live!