Groceries offer hours for older shoppers
Area grocery store chains continue to make adjustments to their operations in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Several have now incorporated hours for those aged 60 and above — a cohort identified by the CDC as among the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.
One chain, Redner’s Markets, has taken the additional step of asking its customers to leave their reusable bags at home. While durable for multiuses, the company said Wednesday, the bags “can be carriers for the virus and could cause further spread.” Redner’s cashiers will be issuing single use, plastic bags until further notice.
Hours
On Tuesday night, the Giant Company modified its hours and added specific shopping hours for those aged 60 years and up. Starting on Thursday, March 19, Giant stores will be open from 6 to 7 a.m. for customers in that age group, while store operating hours have been adjusted to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The 6 to 7 a.m. time slot will allow customers 60 and up to shop in a less crowded environment, which enables social distancing, according to a press release. They’ll also be shopping prior to any other customers entering.
Giant employees will not request ID for entry, but “asks its customers to please respect the purpose of the early opening — and do the right thing for your neighbors,” the press release stated.
Redner’s, which had previously reported that its stores would be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., has now designated 6 to 7:30 a.m. exclusively for those aged 60 and up, as well as those that are immunecompromised, considered to be high health risk and pregnant, according to a statement from Ryan S. Redner, president and CEO of Redner’s Markets. The change took effect on Wednesday.
“While we will not be asking for any personal identification or proof we will ask that other guests and communities respect this decision and be courteous to this request by allowing our most vulnerable to shop our stores when first opened, stocked and sanitized,” the statement read.
Redner said the chain is taking the steps in response to requests shared by customers, “who are thinking of this vulnerable portion of our population and suggested this approach.”
As previously reported, Boyer’s Food Markets, a regional chain with 18 stores in Pennsylvania, including one in Birdsboro, Berks County modified its hours this week designating 7 to 9 a.m. specifically for those aged 62 and up. The store is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“We need all customers to cooperate and help support this program, by allowing these two hours to be exclusively for those 62 and older, so that we can provide the safest possible shopping experience for our seniors,” a statement on the chain’s website read. “This will be almost
impossible to police, and we are not going to put our teammates in a situation to fight with customers that won’t comply ... but we are asking for you to share and support this decision.”
Neither Weis Markets nor Wegmans had announced designated hours for older shoppers as of Wednesday afternoon. Weis Markets are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Wegmans’ hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.