Walmart hiring 2,400 new employees in Mississippi as coronavirus concern ups demand

Walmart is hiring 2,400 more employees across Mississippi as demand from the new coronavirus pandemic sends crowds of people into grocery stores each day to stock up.

Those hires will be in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers, the company said in a press release.

“These roles will be temporary at first, but many will convert to permanent roles over time,” the company said.

It’s also expediting the normally two-week hiring process to 24 hours. Those looking for a job can apply at careers.walmart.com.

Walmart is hiring 150,000 people nationwide, as well as offering cash bonuses to hourly employees for the extra work.

Many grocery stores on the Mississippi Coast are seeing shelves with items like bread empty shortly after being re-stocked. Stores have gotten so crowded that many are limiting the amount of crucial items people can buy, such as toilet paper.

Dollar General and Winn-Dixie also are asking customers to allow seniors to shop during a certain hour each day, to limit their contact with people who could be carrying COVID-19.

This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 4:26 PM.