GameStop ordered to shut in Massachusetts after resisting earlier closure demands

Massachusetts state officials have ordered all GameStop stores across the state to temporarily shut their doors in an effort to flatten the curve of coronavirus in the area.

This follows claims from the retailer that it is an essential business in the vein of grocery stores and pharmacies, and continued efforts to serve customers via curbside pickup.

A report from The Boston Globe confirms city inspectors ordered the closure of GameStop's Dorchester location last Tuesday. The store remained open that Wednesday and was issued a nuisance citation, but not fined. GameStop confirmed it had closed all of its Massachusetts stores on Thursday.

While many stores have followed the temporary closure guidelines, GameStop has defended its decision to remain open by arguing it sells "products and devices that are important to facilitate remote work, distance learning, and virtual connectivity." Employees were told to "wear gloves or even tape plastic bags over their hands, open the front door only slightly while keeping its glass between them and the customer, and handing over whatever they had ordered through the crack."

In late March, the company introduced its new pay policy which gives employees two weeks of paid time-off if they are eligible. Those who aren't eligible would receive two weeks of base pay calculated by their weekly average of hours worked in the past two months.