With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbing every day, grocery stores across the country have recognized a specific need among customers.
Certain groups, such as the elderly, people who have underlying health conditions and pregnant women, are the most susceptible to the coronavirus. With the addition of people panic buying unnecessary extra supplies, those vulnerable adults are often risking their health to shop in grocery stores with empty aisles.
But more and more grocery stores across the country and in Wyoming have pledged to create special hours for these high-risk individuals, allowing them to come into stores for a certain amount of time and shop at a time they can avoid large groups of people.
Walmart announced an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday until April 28. Customers 60 and older will have the opportunity to begin shopping one hour before the store opens for the general public. The pharmacy and vision center will be open at this time, as well.
Albertsons and Safeway will reserve two hours every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 7 to 9 a.m., for vulnerable shoppers, including seniors, pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.
Dollar General will designate the first hour at all of its stores as open daily to senior shoppers.
Big Lots will reserve the first hour of each day for seniors and those most at-risk concerning the virus.
Many of these chains, such as Walmart and Albertsons, are also limiting their daily hours to help combat the spread of the virus.
