Local business sees uptick in customers wanting plexiglass protective barriers

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY), Valley Auto Glass in Calexico says there’s a high demand for plexiglass and glass barriers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As the economy begins to open back up, local businesses are looking for ways to protect employees and customers. 

“There is an uptick in barriers, whether it being plexiglass or glass, we specialize in glass so that is what we reccomend,” said Alejandro Hernadez, Valley Auto Glass general manager. 

Valley Auto Glass has served the Imperial County for over 40 years now. 

Hernandez said the pandemic has impacted their business, but a new demand for protective barriers has kept their business going.

“Doctors offices, government offices, and any sort of office or place that has a lobby and has direct  contact with the public. We're putting up structures with speak tubes, and cut-outs. Just so we limit the transmittance or we have some sort of barrier to protect the public and whoever is behind the desk,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez says requests for plexiglass have been non-stop, but it's not something he's recommending to customers.

“We don't really get into the plexiglass, a lot of people are just getting a sheeting of plexiglass and screwing it into a table, but that’s not what we do,” said Hernandez.  

“Right now we’re making more permanent structures not temporary structures, and the reasoning is because COVID is here to stay. That means you want something permanent, plexiglass over time will degrade,” said Hernandez.