These SLO County stores are setting aside their first hour for elderly, at-risk customers

Mar. 17--While other grocery stores are cutting hours to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus and to restock necessities, two San Luis Obispo grocery providers have announced special shopping hours for some of those most at-risk during the outbreak.

Target

Starting Wednesday, Target will reduce its hours, closing all stores by 9 p.m., but it will also set aside its first hour of shopping each Wednesday for "vulnerable guests" including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.

"As we all continue to adapt to the country's fast-changing needs, we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep our stores open and support our team," CEO Brian Cornell said in an announcement on Target's website Tuesday evening.

Target has two locations in San Luis Obispo County: One in San Luis Obispo and another in Paso Robles.

Dollar General

Dollar General, which has a location in San Miguel, announced Monday that the first hour of every day will be dedicated solely to senior customers. The change was effective Tuesday.

According to the release, Dollar General wants to "provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods."

People over the age of 65 are at high risk for infection during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

"We appreciate our customers' understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices," CEO Todd Vasos said in the release. "During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often."

Other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping trips around this window of time to allow the most susceptible customers the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open.

Dollar General is also changing its operational hours to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock the store shelves, according to the release.

California Fresh Market

California Fresh Market, which has locations in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, also announced they will dedicate their first hour of operation to senior and immunocompromised customers.

The local grocery chain announced Tuesday it will temporarily adjust its normal hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow time for team members to restock and fully clean its stores.

The market will also open early starting at 7 a.m. to customers ages 60 and over and immunocompromised families, according to a Facebook post Tuesday morning.

"Thank you for understanding while we work hard to serve our communities," read the post.

San Luis Obispo County has three confirmed cases of coronavirus locally.

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