Walmart in Appomattox. Times Virginian photo archives.

If you are planning a shopping trip to a Walmart store today or in the near future, it will be a vastly different experience from what you are accustomed to.

Instead of simply walking into the store at will - and especially for those who prefer to enter the exit doors or exit the entrance doors - the process will be much more orderly, akin to an assembly line.

Beginning today, Walmart is expanding measures to ensure social distancing amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic by limiting the number of customers who may be in the store at one time. The new regulations will last until further notice.

According to a Walmart press release, its stores are permitting a maximum of five customers for each 1,000 square feet at any time. That numbers equals about 20 percent of capacity.

There will be one entrance door that will be monitored by staff, where customers will be entered one-by-one and counted. Shoppers will be reminded by store signage that social distancing is required. When the store reaches its maximum limit, people will be allowed to enter as others leave.

One-way movement will be instituted in many of Walmart's stores with use of floor markers and direction from staff.

Once a customer's shopping is complete, they will exit through a different door than they entered.

"As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop, our leaders and operations teams will continue to listen to advice from medical experts, associates and customers, and consider how we can best serve people while helping slow the spread of the virus. the health and safety of our associates and customers is what matters the most," stated the press release from Walmart officials.