Bass Pro Shops of Manteca had been closed for the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, the local store opened once again but with extreme health safety precautions in place.

They are restricting the number of customers in the store at any given time to 50. People will not be allowed to simply browse. They must be looking for specific needs such as camping equipment, portable generators, guns, and such.

“We’ve limited the number of people inside,” said Assistant General Manager John Loduca, who was working the front door Friday morning.

Some 20 people were there, with most learning of the re-opening of sort via social media.

“Your Manteca Bass Pro Shops is now open to serve our community. We are committed to the safety of our customers and team members guided by recommendations from public health officials,” according to the post on Facebook.

Loduca said Bass Pro will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those interested in purchasing ammo or firearms were allowed to do so by appointment only – one such person named Anthony, who wasn’t aware of this procedure, was looking to purchase ammo but fortunately his on-the-spot scheduled wait wasn’t too long.

From there, he was directed to the hand sanitization dispenser before entering his local Bass Pro. “I had just cleaned my hands in the car,” the customer said.

Loduca noted those in the store located in the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley – or 1356 Bass Pro Dr. – on this day were looking at picking up camping gear, dry foods, and portable generators.

Limited services were available and open only to essential shoppers. Those looking to just browse, for the most part, were kindly turned away.

Only two people at a time per group are allowed at one time.

Shoppers were to maintain social distancing of a minimum of six feet.

Bass Pro of Manteca was thoroughly cleaned prior to the reopening. “We’re still doing that throughout the day,” said Loduca, adding hand sanitizing stations were placed throughout the store for customers and employees.

Bass Pro meets the criteria outlined by the governor for what businesses can remain open during the pandemic.

For more information, call 209.825.8400 or log on to www.basspro.com.