Giant Food appears to be one of the first major area grocery store chains to set aside certain shopping times for senior citizens and people with compromised immune systems. The brand made the announcement Wednesday evening.
“Effective Friday, March 20, Giant Food of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware will offer dedicated shopping hours for senior citizens 60-and-older and individuals with compromised immune systems,” read a statement from the brand. “Every store in our operating areas will reserve 6:00-7:00 a.m., every day of the week for this vulnerable population to shop and practice social distancing.”
Some other brands with area stores are offering similar opportunities.
- Walmart is starting a special hour-long shopping window for seniors only starting March 24. It will take place each Tuesday morning, in the hour prior to the store’s regular opening.
- Safeway is offering vulnerable shoppers special shopping times from 7 to 9 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday.
- Each Wednesday, Target will reserve the first hour of shopping exclusively for vulnerable shoppers.
- Whole Foods Market is allowing shoppers 60 and over to shop at the store each day one hour prior to the regular opening time.
Nearly all area grocery stores have changed their hours, opening later or closing earlier, in order to give staff time to rest, sanitize the store and restock.
(Image at top: Phillips Edison & Company)
Setting aside hours for shopping is fine, but how will they be able to pick up prescriptions? There should be arrangements made to include that, possibly by making arrangements the day before to pick up prescriptions at customer service when they come in to shop.
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