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Dollar General shoppers, take note.
Starting Tuesday, the discount chain announced it is dedicating the first hour in its more than 16,000 stores to help senior shoppers “avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people over the age of 60 are most vulnerable to COVID-19, or coronavirus.
In a news release Monday, Dollar General said it is encouraging other shoppers to plan their trips “around this window of time to allow the most susceptible customers in our communities the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open.”
Stores nationwide also will close an hour earlier than regular closing times “to allow employees to clean and restock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing.”
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Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said in a statement that these were “unprecedented times.”
“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,” Vasos said.
Dollar General isn’t the only store looking to help seniors.
Starting Thursday, Stop & Shop will open from 6 to 7:30 a.m. for customers over the age of 60, according to the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Contributing: David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko
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